Chapter 141: The Mad Magus They Already Met [Part 1]

Chapter 141. The Mad Magus They Already Met [Part 1]

The administrative building of Lumenford was considerably more impressive than Vera had expected.

Built from white coastal stone, the three-story structure overlooked the harbor, with tall arched windows and polished marble floors that reflected the afternoon sunlight. Decorative lanterns hung along the corridors, while the scent of fresh flowers drifted through the open windows.

For a relatively small town, Lumenford certainly knew how to make an impression.

Unfortunately, Vera had little interest in admiring the architecture. Her attention remained fixed on the two men seated across from her.

Lord Cassian Veymont and Chief Alden Marr.

Both looked exhausted.

The lord’s navy coat was neatly buttoned, but dark circles beneath his eyes suggested he hadn’t slept nearly enough. Chief Marr appeared even worse, his stern expression accompanied by the unmistakable stiffness of someone recovering from a particularly unpleasant night.

Vera had expected to find two desperate officials struggling with a mysterious series of disappearances. Instead, they’d welcomed her with tea.

Yes, tea.

As though six elite warriors from the Light Temple had arrived for a pleasant afternoon visit. And then Lord Veymont had casually announced something that made her question whether she’d heard him correctly.

"The case has already been resolved."

Vera lowered her teacup. Her brows drew together. "Excuse me?"

Lord Veymont nodded. "The disappearances. Lord Rey solved the case last night."

Silence settled over the room.

Tessa stopped reaching for a pastry.

Rina blinked.

Nora exchanged a glance with Maeve, while Syl slowly lowered the cup she’d been holding.

Vera stared at the lord. "You’re saying the investigation is complete?"

"Yes."

"All twelve missing women?"

"Found."

"Alive?"

Lord Veymont’s expression softened. "Eleven survived."

Vera’s eyes narrowed. "And the twelfth?"

"Unfortunately, she was already dead when Lord Rey discovered her."

That was regrettable.

But considering twelve women had disappeared under circumstances suggesting the involvement of dark magic, rescuing eleven was an extraordinary outcome. Especially if the investigation had been completed as quickly as the lord claimed.

Vera leaned forward. "I thought Lord Rey only arrived yesterday."

"He did."

"And you’re telling me he solved everything last night?" she still couldn’t believe it.

"Correct."

Chief Marr finally spoke. "He arrived yesterday morning, conducted his investigation throughout the day, located the victims, and stopped the culprit before the ritual could be completed."

Rina frowned. "That’s impossible."

Chief Marr looked at her. "Is it?"

"With respect, Chief, twelve women disappeared over an entire month. Your guards couldn’t find them, and the culprit apparently left almost no evidence. There’s no way someone could solve a case like that in less than a day."

The chief’s expression hardened. "Yet he did."

Rina opened her mouth.

Vera raised a hand, stopping her. "Please continue."

Chief Marr folded his arms. "We accompanied Lord Rey during the investigation. We watched how he worked. He examined the disappearance sites, questioned witnesses, searched the surrounding ruins, and eventually discovered where the victims had been taken."

"All in one day?" Nora asked.

"All in one day."

Tessa stared at him. "That’s... impressive."

’Impressive?’ Vera thought that was an understatement. Even the Light Temple’s investigators would ordinarily require several days to gather enough evidence to identify a suspect. And Rey Valen had apparently done it while working in an unfamiliar town.

That was troubling. Not because he’d saved the victims. That deserved recognition. But because the Temple had dispatched six S-Rank warriors under the assumption that the investigation would keep him occupied until they arrived. Apparently, someone had severely underestimated the Mad Magus.

Lord Veymont opened a folder and slid several papers across the desk. "You can read the official report."

Vera accepted them. The other women leaned closer.

The document detailed the disappearance of twelve brides-to-be, the discovery of a ritual site along the coastal cliffs, and the confrontation with an undead creature that had been manipulating the victims. There was also mention of a corrupted monster summoned within the town’s training ground.

Vera’s eyes moved rapidly across the pages. Eleven rescued women. One confirmed casualty. Several wounded guards. No life-threatening injuries among the survivors. And the suspected perpetrator eliminated. She paused at the casualty report. "Elena Vale?"

Lord Veymont nodded.

"She was the first woman to disappear. According to Lord Rey’s examination, she died on the day she was kidnapped. The culprit used necromantic magic to preserve her remains and manipulate her body."

Syl’s expression darkened. "How horrible."

"The funeral is being held today," the lord added.

Vera lowered her gaze. The Light Temple condemned necromancy for good reason. Using the dead as puppets was one of the most repulsive forms of forbidden magic and Rey Valen had supposedly destroyed the undead creature using light magic. That particular detail caught her attention.

Light magic?

According to the Temple’s intelligence, the Royal Magus possessed mastery over six elements. But someone suspected of corruption using light magic to destroy an undead creature?

Interesting.

She continued reading. The report was concise, properly organized, and supported by witness statements. There was nothing obviously suspicious about it. Which made the situation even more frustrating.

They hadn’t come to Lumenford expecting to congratulate Rey Valen. They’d come expecting to find him occupied with a difficult investigation, offer their assistance, and arrange his return to the Holy City. Instead, the man had apparently completed an entire month’s worth of detective work before they could even reach town.

Vera placed the report on the desk. "Where is Rey Valen now?"

Lord Veymont glanced toward the corridor. "He should still be resting in his room. He exhausted himself during the rescue. We arranged accommodations for him here."

Vera stood. "Then please escort us to his room."

The lord raised an eyebrow. "Immediately?"

"Yes."

"Is something wrong?" The lord’s confusion was clear.

Vera maintained her expression. "No."

Lord Veymont studied her. "You don’t look particularly pleased that the case has been resolved." A rather uncomfortable observation.

Vera understood why he might find their reaction strange. Six Holy Guardians had arrived to investigate missing women. They’d learned the women had already been rescued. And instead of expressing relief, they’d immediately demanded to see the man responsible. Not exactly the behavior of grateful reinforcements.