There had been another murder.

Sigh… I had hoped to spend more time with my niece. But no, the saboteur—or saboteurs—had to strike on Remembrance Day.

Curse them! I swore softly under my breath. I had spent all night running around in the cold night, questioning soldiers and bystanders, yet I had little to show for it.

And to make it worse, the old man had me roused awake early in the morning for a “most pressing matter”. I wonder what he wants this time. I took a quick look outside the windows in the corridor. The sun had yet to rise.

I stifled a yawn before knocking at the door and walking inside, there was no point in announcing myself. Since he always knew who was behind the door.

“Awake at last, are you?” The white-haired short old man looked up from his array of magic tools, to cast a sharp glance at me. He was writing something on a sheet of paper. He turned his eyes back to the task. “You must be wondering what this old man wants at this time, Inspector?”

There was a sharpness in his tone. He was in a bad mood. “It’s my duty to serv–” I began.

“YOU’RE NOT MAKING ANY PROGRESS!” He shouted, wearing an angry grimace. The mana light gave his lined face a sinister look.

I bowed in apology. “I’m sor–”

“YOU SHOULD BE!” The old man slammed a fist on the table and let out a slow exhale. Silence.

I pursed my lips and waited.

My boss shifted his weight and spread his hands over the table, softly hammering his fingers rhythmically.

“Remind me why I picked you for this job, Inspector Kiras.” He spoke slowly, piercing me with his gaze.

“Because,” I said, straightening my back. “I’m your best Inspector, as you said.”

“And yet…” He turned up his open palms. “We still don’t even know what we’re up against. Why is that?”

The accusation was a stab at my pride. It was unjust, I had been giving my best as always.

“The perpetrator has been clever at covering his tracks. If only we could secure a better-preserved corpse for inspection…” I said, with a hint of frustration. Fire had the property of breaking down mana, but even then it was strange that all the corpses found so far had been beyond magical inspection. Completely scrubbed. No helpful clue had been left in the proximity of the events either. Strange.

The old man gestured at the window. “Do you know what’s happening out there?” He said, a deeper scowl marring his aged face.

I remained silent, gazing at the spectral grimace from the glass reflection. I could only assume there was more bad news awaiting.

“The civilians are fomenting hate against foreigners,” He spat out. “They say the Noirdantians brought in the Madness and should be cast out!” He slammed the fist again. “The fools…”

The old man suddenly cocked his head to the side, then stood up and walked toward the window, opening it while extending an arm outside. A few seconds later a bird landed on it and he untied the small note it carried. He put the bird in one of the empty birdcages.

It always made me uncomfortable to watch the old man go about his business. All those secrets coming and going. I lost count of the times I wondered whether he had forgotten I was still there. Long uncomfortable silences.

“No sightings anywhere of their cursed…” He muttered intelligibly. “So irregular. Concerning.”

He turned back to me. “Where was I… ah, yes. Don’t they see that by spreading chaos they’re playing right into the demons’ hands?!” He said with frustration. “Not to speak of the recent animosity against the other races risking to strain future relations! Just when we need unity more than ever…”

The old man was venting out his frustration. I wish I were spending quality time with my adorable niece. I thought grimly while nodding absently.

“I can’t waste my time on these minor matters!” He was yelling now. “I have to handle the flow of information for the war! Keep the generals updated! Make sure our allies are coordinating and logistics unimpeded!” He paused a moment to take a breath and stare at me. “Information you see… is everything, my dear Inspector…”

I nodded again while grimacing inside. Was he going to start again one of his lectures about the importance of information? I had to stop him and remind him of the topic at hand.

I coughed to catch his attention. “Sir, if I may?” I said. “We were discussing the self-immolation murders…”

He took a weary sigh and finally sat back on his chair. “Right, of course.” He took a blank piece of paper. “Please, brief me on the current status of your investigation.”

“Yes,” I said, recollecting my thoughts for a moment. Then I began.

It was unclear whether there were one or two perpetrators, but given the dynamics of the murders, I doubted there could be more than that.

So far there had been four identified murders committed inside the city, all with the same approach. The victim would start to behave unusually. Some would disappear from their homes only to be found days or weeks later in a crowded public location, after having set themselves on fire while laughing maniacally.

The chosen spots were always those with fewer soldiers and high civilian traffic. It was clear that the culprit–or culprits–were aiming to make a show, perhaps to destabilize the public order, and in doing so make their job easier.

It had worked well, especially thanks to the stories that the refugees had spread about the so-called Madness. Citizens didn’t miss the chance to immediately start pointing fingers. Can’t expect much from commoners.

Given the lack of evidence to analyze, we weren’t yet able to pinpoint what we were up against.

“Hmm, yes. But how are they doing it?” The old man wondered aloud.

That was the big question. There were several possibilities but no way to ascertain for sure.

“I had evaluated several options,” I said, recalling my latest lines of inquiry. “Mind control, forced Oaths, spirit possession, mindweaving, poisons or curses…”

From the autopsies, we were at least been able to rule out other possibilities.

“Yes, and?” He asked impatiently.

“I think we can rule out poisons, in all cases the immolation was caused by external ignition so it was not by fireblood or similar mixtures,” I said, scratching my stubble, which reminded me I hadn’t shaved yet. “Spirit possession is also unlikely given that the victims had been acting strangely for several days. Possessing a foreign body corrupts both the host body and spirit, it’s only feasible in the short term. Moreover, from what I gathered some of the victims from Noirdant had been people of uncommon power, unlikely to be easily dominated.”

The old man was quickly scribbling with practiced motions without even looking at the paper. “I see. What about the others?” He asked.

“A forced Oath could bring such a result, but I wonder why the murderer would make the victim laugh while burning… perhaps something about the conditions?” I said. “Mind control… that’d be tricky. It would require the culprit to remain in casting range, which would mean he’s good at disguises and powerful spiritual interference magics.”

“Mindweaving?” He asked, furrowing his brows.

“That is also possible. An expert mindweaver could make anyone do anything, at the price of the subject’s sanity,” I said. Very possible but I had my doubts about that choice. “It would seem to match, but if that were the case… Why only one victim at a time? Why not more?” I wondered. Is the culprit, or culprits, so determined to hide the evidence that they’ll focus on a single target at a time?

The old man scowled. “Why indeed?” He considered for a moment. “Aren’t there any other options?”

“No… I had already excluded minor spells like geas, temporary mind-altering drugs, and magical parasites, that simply can’t be applied to all the murders,” I said. “I’m certain the culprit is using the same method for all the killings. If only we had concrete evidence to confirm which method he’s using…”

“What about the gray caped man? Do you think it could be him?” He asked me, now picking another paper sheet as the previous was full.

“I wish I could tell for sure,” I said, not hiding my disappointment. “Killers often return to the scene of the crime, but according to the witnesses this individual always showed up right after the immolation. Smiling with satisfaction, then running away when guards show up.”

“How haven’t we already secured this fool?” He asked me, visibly irritated.

“He can run very fast, which implies at the least knowledge of mana infusion. Everyone who saw him gave different descriptions, though, which leads me to think he’s also adept at disguises either magical or physical…” I said and tried to dig my memory for more. Why risking so much by coming out in the open? I felt we were missing something. “Perhaps it’s an accomplice whose job is to lead the guards away while the murderer cleans up whatever evidence is left? I can only speculate.” I said defeated.

Why show up with the same distinctive gray tattered cape, if not to taunt us and buy time?

“Humans betraying humans…” The old man spat with disgust.

Hadn’t it been for the testimonies I collected, I would have presumed multiple accomplices taking turns at distracting us from the crime scene… but there couldn’t be that many humans sided with the demons, all with the same demeanor and skills.

“What about last night?” He asked.

“It’s all in the report, sir,” I said. I had already written out all the salient points, details, and theories.

“Any leads yet to explore?”

“Only a very weak one. I’m missing the testimony from a man who had been pushed to the ground by the fleeing gray cape, maybe he saw something we missed,” I recalled. “I could only track down his dwarven friend but he was too drunk to tell me where to find the man.” Dwarves. “A soldier reported that the gray cape had stopped a moment to utter something at the man, then bolted away the moment he saw them.”

What I expected was another useless description of the ever-changing gray cape features. Assuming that witness had even seen his face in the darkness of night.

“Did the soldiers hear what was said?”

“No… they were too far.” I shook my head.

“I don’t think we have any testimony of the gray cape’s voice,” The old man said slowly. “It might be worth getting a permanent record with a Witness in case we can locate him with it since he seems so good at disguises.”

“I will.” I agreed, cursing myself for not thinking about it.

“Don’t leave any stone unturned.” He reminded me.

“I won’t, sir,” I said, nodding. The culprit may have been altering his voice, or not. It was worth a try.

The old magician interlocked his fingers, a dark look flashing over his eyes. “This is bad, by this pace the saboteur will find a way to cripple our capital just like he–or they–crippled Noirdant’s. There’s no demonic army outside our walls, but if they get their hands on one of our strategic personnel…”

He remained pensive for some time. I waited without making a sound, it was a bad idea to disturb the old mage while he was brooding.

I too had some dark thoughts to wonder about. If the saboteur had been able to manipulate powerful figures back in Noirdant, why was he starting small now? Why waste the element of surprise? Was him—or they—being cautious?

“Inspector. I have an urgent task for you.” He said at last, with a sharp tone.

“Yes?” I responded.

“I need you to warn a number of people of the potential danger… in order to take precautions,” He said, closing his eyes and rubbing his eyes. “And we need…”

I waited.

“With the war, our resources are spread too thin. We can’t wait for the bureaucracy, we need the Shadows on this.” He said gravely. “We’ll have to ask her to intercede for us.”

With we he meant me.

It really felt like everyone was working hard to prevent me from enjoying my niece’s company. I felt a pang of sadness.

Today she would rejoin her adventurer friends. I had wanted to know more about her adventures, but my job kept me away. While in the presence of her mother and my brother I could tell she was withholding a good deal of information, probably not to worry them. Such a good-natured girl, I need to know what she left out.

I would have to pay a visit to make sure the new additions to her party of adventurers were upstanding people.

And if not, make sure the bad apples disappear. It was my sacred duty as an uncle to protect my niece from the evils of the world. My sweet little Ellin, she’s grown so much!

What was my brother thinking when he allowed her to become an adventurer?! And worse, leaving her to her own devices… all alone in the midst of brutes and swindlers.

I smothered the little voice telling me she needed to do her own experiences and growing up. To me, my little Ellin would always be that cute yellow-haired newborn chick. I’m a doting uncle.

What a sad fate that we, nobles, have to endure such hardships to be able to stand against demons.

I walked inside the halls of the Arcane Academy and stopped four paces before my objective. I wonder if my lovely niece is here somewhere, taking magic lessons. I pushed the thought away and restored my composure. Work first.

I took a quick look around to make sure no one was around, then I closed my eyes and enhanced my sense of hearing… I could hear two distinct voices behind the closed door, the Ice Queen had company. I would have to wait.

I kept on listening. An Inspector never lets his senses grow dull.

“This is enough for now. You may leave,” I recognized the voice of the Ice Queen. “I expect an update every first day of the week and I want to see faster progress.”

A brief silence.

Footsteps.

“… Congratulations on walking the First Step.”

“Thank you… ma’am.” He said. A student of the Academy?

Before the door creaked open, I resumed walking normally, to make it look as if I had just arrived.

The light-brown-haired man who came out of the office almost bumped into me. His aura was closed off and he looked drowsy as if he had just woken up. It must be hard having the Ice Queen as a teacher, I thought.

I gave him a stern stare and continued walking.

“Inspector Kiras,” I announced myself as I knocked at the door.

“Come in.” The voice called out and so I did.

I smiled and bowed to the Archmage before me. Her cold icy eyes pierced my own. Violet Val Mariannet, the infamous Ice Queen. As beautiful as deadly.

This was my first time meeting her in person. She had a powerful presence. Black hair in a bob cut, eyes the color of ice. She wasn’t wearing makeup.

I always wondered why she decided to become a teacher as a secondary job. Maybe she just enjoys being sadistic towards members of the younger noble generations.

I sure wasn’t going to ask.

“What do I owe the pleasure, Inspector?” She said, suspicion hiding behind her voice. “Does the Institute have business with me?”

Everything about her was cold and ice. Just like I had overheard.

“Apologies for bothering you so soon after your return, but there have been distressing developments during your absence, Archmage.” I said.

She narrowed her eyes. “Is that so?” She said, crossing her arms which emphasized her chest. “Please have a seat, I presume this is related to Noirdant’s downfall?”

I lifted my eyebrows. How much does she already know?. “Before we talk, allow me to secure our communications.” I waited for her approval and cast a silencing spell around us.

I resumed our conversation. “Correct,” I admitted sitting down on the chair before her desk. “I’ve been dispatched to look into the matter and it seems that the culprit, or culprits, had been hiding among the refugees…”

“Why are you telling me this?” She interrupted. “Isn’t this a matter for the Institute?”

“It is,” I admitted. “But I’ve been tasked to inform certain key personnel in the kingdom, as to prevent a similar fate to befall upon us.”

“And I assume you need something more…” She stated, narrowing her eyes.

This woman was scary. And to think she was younger than me. Even though she was hiding her aura, there was no mistaking the tremendous amount of mana she was holding. I had been trained to feel the pull of accumulated energy.

I estimated she had walked at least the Seventh Step. Maybe even the Eighth!

“It is as you suggest,” I said, with a curt nod. “We need the Shadows’ assistance. The Institute would greatly appreciate it if you could intercede on our behalf.”

She stared at me in silence, a cold and calculating gaze.

Suddenly, I felt inadequate with my meager Fourth Step.

“Why?” She asked at last.

I fought a few seconds to recall my argument and speak. “We need assistance in apprehending this saboteur causing uproar in Valarest. We fear he, or they, might soon target critical personnel and deal thus an important blow to the capital at such a critical time.”

“The Shadows’ specialties do not lie in identifying targets,” She said curtly. “And why isn’t this request being passed through the official channels?”

“Apologies, but the matter is of extreme urgency,” I said. “With the reduced garrison patrolling the city, the magicians dispatched to prevent long-distance portals and the unrest brewing among the civilians… We’re dealing with someone capable of manipulating even high magicians against their own will.” I let that sink in, somehow her gaze turning colder. “We need to stop whoever is behind this operation before it’s too late.” I held her gaze without blinking, hoping to convey the importance.

A short silence ensued as she considered my words.

“I’ll need to know the details.” She said, with a neutral tone.

I repeated to her what I had told the old man earlier in the morning. If hearing the news had fazed her, she hadn’t shown it.

“I see,” She said at last. “I’ll submit your request to the Shadows’ attention. Dismissed.”

Dismissed? I felt a twitch to my eye. Usually, people show utmost respect before Inspectors. And for good reasons. Of course, archmages aren’t just any people, as they report directly to the crown.

I hoped she understood the gravity of the situation. I didn’t dare show disrespect to such a powerful Archmage so I kept my complaints to myself.

I stood up and bowed again if a little stiffly. “Thank you, Archmage. May the kingdom ever prosper.”

She nodded and watched me go, the pressure of her gaze burning on my skin.

I closed the door behind me and took a sigh of relief after having walked several paces away.

Another task done. I ticked off the name from the list and acknowledged the remaining few names With that done, I would be able to resume the investigation.

There were many questions waiting to be answered. One of them being why an Inspector was being sent around acting like a glorified messenger.