Ordained

Some time had passed since Aion had separated from the group. At some point Sam had gone off with the others to discuss possible solutions. Aion supposed that talking with someone who did nothing but shut options down was probably demoralizing, hence Sam’s leave.

The servants outside of a couple were busy trying to appease the guests, so it wasn’t as if Aion could talk with any of them either. So all he could do was observe by himself. The nobles outside of Alphonse’s parents were all huddled together in the center of the room, discussing various things much more quietly than earlier. Alphonse was still with Juno, but his gaze seemed more alive than earlier, like he was starting to leave the stupor he was in.

Aion glanced at the clock and saw it was 8:54; quite a bit of time had passed and nothing had happened. Pride’s declaration, which had weighed so heavily on the ballroom, had started to lose its gravitas at this point. In fact, some of the nobles even gave a laugh here and there.

They seemed to think that perhaps nothing more would happen, or perhaps it was all a bluff, or maybe even that only commoners were targeted, so they would be safe.

This belief seemed to spread among them, giving them less of a sense of urgency. In fact, a few were so bold they went off to the restroom by themselves. And, when they returned, that only gave more confidence to the other noblemen.

So the next minutes ticked by until 9:00 passed, and still nothing happened.

“That Pride was certainly full of himself!” William was speaking confidently as he laughed at the killer who announced themself.

“You should probably do a head check before laughing.” Aion had appeared suddenly and startled William.

“Huh?” William looked over, confused.

“Mark has been missing the whole time. In other words, there was likely another kill.”

“Ha! Who cares if a random servant died?”

“Mr. Cornelius, I would appreciate it if you didn’t talk about us servants that way,” Aria said politely.

“...” William only narrowed his eyes at Aria. “I’ll treat the servants here any way I want. After all, it’s probably one of you people responsible for the situation!”

“Huh?” Aria was surprised at the sudden accusation.

“I mean, think about it for a second. In order to lock down this mansion in such a short time span and also perform the killing of that commoner girl in a few minutes, it’s only natural that multiple people would be necessary. So then, I believe that the servants were responsible. And for Mark’s disappearance, most likely he’s in hiding to make it seem like the servants were affected as well. In other words, thinking about it that way, the servants are the best ones to suspect!”

William smiled confidently at his own reasoning, which, to Aion, seemed quite solid.

“No, we knew about the mansion lockdown beforehand. It’s why we were all gathering!”

“A perfect excuse! It doesn’t help you in the slightest.”

“Then how would Esme have even been killed by one of us? The room was completely sealed off!”

“You people are familiar with this place. I’m sure you found some sort of secret passage, or maybe you even built one yourselves all for the sake of not being suspected by the heads of the Magnatiums!”

“That’s…” Aria didn’t seem to know what to say.

“I’m afraid I have to disagree,” Aion said.

“Huh? And what does this outsider possibly have to say?”

“You claim that the servants are the most suspicious, which is most certainly true. However, with a crime like this, performing it makes them suspicious. So, then, why would they implicate themselves like this? It would’ve been much easier to perform the murder while the lights were out, and then everyone would’ve been a suspect. In other words, Pride intentionally created this situation to implicate the servants.”

William’s eyes bore into Aion. “So what? Pride is clearly a very prideful person. I mean, calling themselves ‘Pride’ and announcing their plans? Clearly they want us to see them fully! Thus, implicating themselves is not out of the question! With that, the battle of wits can be justified!”

“That is certainly a fair assessment. But going to the killing of Esme, I doubt such a passage exists.”

“Huh? And why not?”

This would be difficult for Aion to explain. Generally, mysteries try to present all the clues fairly to the reader and the detective. In other words, mysteries that are hailed as great try to be fair but challenging at the same time. Thus, a hidden passageway is not only unfair but also easy to just claim. This makes for a pitiful mystery, one that could never be hailed as a return to form.

“When thinking about the structure of the manor, there is only one room that could possibly house the hidden passage, the room right next door. And when the structure is considered, the bathroom is against the wall where it would be touching the other room. This means that it would have to go through the pipe system and possibly damage it.”

The reasoning was certainly weak, but he only needed to be convincing enough.

“The servants clearly put a lot of thought into this plan, so creating it isn’t so out of the question, no?”

And William immediately countered it.

“Okay then, how about we all go investigate together then?”

“And why would I do that?”

“If you’re so confident in your little theory, then let’s test its validity.”

“It’s hidden. I doubt we could find it so easily!”

“Oh? Then how about this: let’s lock all the servants in one room, and if the killings continue, we’ll have our answer.”

“What!?” Aria was shocked at Aion’s suggestion.

“Although, I guess Mark would still be on the loose in your little narrative. So, why don’t we get the head to bring us to a location that can’t possibly be entered by the servants? Then we’ll all be safe in your narrative. All together except the servants—doesn’t that sound wonderful?”

Aion’s eyes caused William to stiffen.

“How preposterous! I would never!”

“Why? Are you not confident in your theory? Aren’t you so sure that it’ll all be settled just like that?”

“I will not have some outsider ridicule me like this!” William protested.

“Hm…” Aion made a noise of interest and continued, “I’m an outsider? I suppose I am. Then as an outsider, I’m the safest of everyone here. After all, what reason would I have to kill anybody?”

“No! Pride is someone who is treating this all like a game, so you have plenty of reason to be Pride. Maybe you are Pride! In fact, aren't you the most suspicious? You seem familiar with crime to begin with, so you could easily set all this up!”

“Oh?” Aion seemed amused at the accusation, which sent chills down everyone’s spines.

“Aion?” Sam whispered with a hint of fear in his eyes.

“Yeah, I am suspicious. But William, did you not notice?”

“Huh?”

“You just rejected your previous theory and presented another possibility; thus, your original theory that the servants are responsible is no longer the only possibility here.”

William’s eyes flared wide open. “You!”

He glared at Aion with a seething expression.

“So, no, the servants aren’t the only possible suspects. Putting it that way is rather disingenuous.”

William laughed and said, “I see, you are Pride! You didn’t want to let others take credit for your wit, so you had to shut it down! Hey, Sebastian, he was the one who found the letter, right? Were you there when it appeared?”

Sebastian, who was by Alphonse’s father’s side, was surprised by him being addressed.

“Ah…well…no I never saw it. I only saw Mr. Aion picking it up…”

William smiled viciously and said, “And there you have it! The letter also has an explanation! So, how was I? Did I figure you out, commoner, or should I say Pride?”

“No,” Aion simply said. “Your reasoning is shit. How would I even turn the power off? I’ve never even been here. Then there is navigating the manor. How would I do that without ever having been here? You see, as an outsider, I’m the only one truly exempt from suspicion in a case like this. So nice try, but you’re an idiot.”

William’s mouth hung open in shock at the simple defeat of his.

“Wait! That means the servants are back to the only possibility! You tricked me!”

“Yeah, I did. But my trick proved something: someone like you shouldn’t be making declarations on who is and isn’t the killer if you can be deceived so easily.”

“You brat!” William spat and grabbed Aion by the collar, lifting him several centimeters above the ground.

“Resorting to violence now? Pathetic.”

“Mr. Cornelius! Please let him go!” Aria pleaded.

“Mr. Cornelius, I also insist,” Sam joined in.

“...Fine…” William released Aion.

“No, are you calm?” Aion asked.

“You!”

“Wait, before you get angry, it looks like Alphonse wants to say something,” Aion said.

Aion looked over at Alphonse, who had walked over to the commotion along with Juno.

“Huh?” William, along with the others, turned toward Alphonse in surprise.

“Thank you, Aion,” Alphonse said. “Now, after much consideration, I have realized the truth of this case!”

The declaration caused a stir, with many people looking relieved.

“Huh? You did?” Juno was also surprised.

“I did. Also, can you get away from me? We’re no longer engaged,” Alphonse said with a look of disgust on his face.

“Huh?” Juno was shocked at Alphonse’s sudden bomb. “Wait, you can’t just do that!?”

“I was engaged to Esme,” Alphonse said.

“What!?” Alphonse’s father shot up from his seat and marched over. “Boy! Do you have any idea what you’re doing!?”

Alphonse’s mother had also rushed over, saying something similar, “Alphonse, dear! How could you!?”

“You got engaged to a commoner and rejected my daughter!?” William looked even angrier than when Aion had provoked him.

Daughter? Aion thought. It was surprising; after all, they had different last names.

“Oh, Juno!” The noblewoman with blonde hair cried out and rushed over to Juno to hug her.

Aion figured that was likely her mother.

Juno, despite receiving the news, didn't look shocked. If anything, she looked about ready to cry.

“Alphonse…why…?” Juno mumbled.

“I loved Esme dearly!” Alphonse declared. “But this engagement forced by you people trapped me!”

Alphonse glared at both his parents and Juno’s parents.

“This was for the good of Magna! Juno is the second coming of Lunalis! She can commune with Lunalis! You should be engaged with her!” Alphonse’s father said.

“And what about love!? I want to love who I marry!”

“But for Magna!”

“But Esme is dead! What’s wrong with marrying Juno now!?” William asked.

“You really have to ask? It feels like my heart is going to give out at any moment! Why would I want to marry anyone after having my heart crushed like this!?”

“It will pass. She’s just a commoner!” Alphonse’s father pleaded with him.

“I renounce my engagement with Juno Celestia! I will never love another woman like Esme!”

“Oh, Lunalis! Juno, commune with Lunalis!” William turned his desperation toward Juno.

Juno merely shook her head as tears streamed down her face.

“But I must endure!” Alphonse continued with a pained expression on his face. “Esme left this mortal plane by the will of Lunalis! She brought her to the afterlife because she satisfied her purpose! How else could such a killing happen!? It’s obvious! Through the divine! And this letter from Pride! It said to pray to Lunalis! This is clearly a message for us to repent and worship so that we may be redeemed! This is not an intellectual challenge, but a spiritual challenge!”

Alphonse brought both his arms to the sky and pleaded, “Oh, Lunalis! Please forgive us of our sins! Wash them away so we may be redeemed and we can enter thy embrace! I beg of thee for all of us!”

Aion looked at the sight in disbelief. This was unbelievable. Completely and utterly unbelievable.

“Alphonse!” William called out loudly.

Aion was somewhat happy; it looked like William wouldn’t buy that drivel.

“You’re right! I was so blinded!” William had tears forming in his eyes.

In fact, he wasn’t alone; many of the servants and noblemen all started to pray for forgiveness.

“But it’s okay! Lunalis will forgive us! Lunalis will surely redeem us!” Alphonse declared with tears in his eyes.

Aion backed away.

What the fuck? Aion thought.

“So we should not fear death! We should embrace it! We need to stop suspecting each other and embrace the divine! For all those who pass are those chosen by Lunalis!”

There were many cheers of agreement, and Aion could only watch, flabbergasted.

And so, the people lost all apprehension and all arrogance, and all began acting like nothing had happened.