Vol 1 Chapter 16: Clara and the Two Wanted Fugitives

Clara has been in the Valley of Roses for seven days. Initially, she came to investigate the two heavyweight fugitives who were last tracked in this area. But within a week, her focus had shifted—whether because of the friendliness of the residents, the wild but orderly flowers, or perhaps because of the innocent smile of a child named Caelan who dragged her to play every day.

Clara knew that as a detective, she must not lose her way. But she was also human.

—

Seventh Day...

The sun was not yet high when an elite knight appeared in the village carrying a scroll with the symbol of the rose kingdom. Inside was written an official request from Prince Elvyn regarding the progress of Clara's investigation. Time was running out.

Clara felt frustrated. There was no trace. No remains. The fugitives seemed to have disappeared into the earth.

—

Unplanned Confession...

That afternoon, in Marry's wooden house, Clara sat staring at the warm drink in her hand. Outside, Caelan was running after butterflies. Clara could not hold back her anxiety.

"Marry..." she said slowly, half joking, "You killed them, huh?"

Marry didn't answer right away. She just stared at Clara for a moment, then nodded.

"Yes."

Clara chuckled nervously.

"Hahaha, you're... really serious about your answer. How could... uh... you..."

Clara's laughter faded when she realized Marry's gaze hadn't changed.

"...are... serious?"

Marry took a sip of her tea, then answered calmly:

"I'm not hiding it. You just didn't ask. And all this time you've been too busy playing with Caelan, not investigating me."

Clara fell silent. The world felt like it had collapsed in an instant. All her investigations, her time, her questions... were in vain.

"But how...? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"You came with an assignment. But every day you take off your detective mask. I thought you needed a place to rest, not the painful truth."

—

Murder Story...

Finally Marry told her everything. The two fugitives had indeed arrived at the edge of the forest behind the village, trying to escape to the Wealth kingdom after kidnapping children or women in the rose valley. Marry witnessed how the rough man and the fat, oily man tortured a little boy named Thomas and even tried to catch Marry who was disguised with magic that interfered with the opponent's perception. Finally, Marry killed them both before finally saving Thomas.

"They are animals." Marry said softly, her eyes flat.

Marry admitted that she would not let them escape. If the two slave traders left, they would surely endanger the safety of the girls and children in the Rose Valley.

"Then where are their bodies?" Clara asked softly.

"They have become fertilizer." Marry answered lightly. "My familiars ate them all. Bones, flesh, everything."

Clara paled.

"It's as if... you just fed them to dogs."

"They are worse than carcasses."

—

Forgotten and Remembered Names...

Clara had not fully recovered from her shock when she mentioned one name: Elvyn.

As soon as she heard that, Marry's expression changed. There was sadness, cuts from the past, and guilt.

"She's... your little brother, right?"

Marry nodded.

"Before... she was the only family I had left. But after I became Blood Rose... I chose to distance myself. I didn't want to drag him into my blood."

"Now, Elvyn doesn't remember who you are." Clara said. "But he knows there's a part of his soul missing. He never stops searching for... 'something'. He calls it the warmth he forgot."

Marry was silent for a long time. Her fingers gripped her teacup tightly, as if it could hold back the memories that flowed in.

"Then... it's better for him not to remember me. The world is better for him without me."

—

Farewell...

That afternoon, Clara didn't know how to report this case. Justice had been served, but not by the courts. By the hands of someone who was once the kingdom's nightmare, and now a mother who waters flowers.

"What will you write in your report?" Marry asked.

"That they were not found." Clara answered softly. "And the search is closed."

Clara rose from her chair. She looked at Marry deeply.

"I hope... we can meet again, not as detective and fugitive, but as..." she hesitated. "Humans who understand each other."

Marry smiled thinly, her nod gentle as the evening breeze that sways flower petals.

"Take care of yourself in the capital. The world outside the valley is not as friendly as Caelan."

Clara stepped away onto the path that would lead her back to the village inn.

Tomorrow, they would return to their separate lives.

But the strange, warm, and silent closeness that had grown between them—it would not go away so easily.