Done. I had carried out the old man’s request. I could finally resume the investigation. Time to make a dwarf talk.

“Where to now, master Inspector?” The cart driver asked.

It was late morning. Even the most drunken of dwarves would have woken from their stupor by now. Besides, if he remembered meeting me, he would likely be seeking friendly faces to share the story.

Which meant…

“Let’s head to the Adventurer’s Guild,” I said. The dwarf was an adventurer, the Guild was the most probable place to catch him, or at the very least someone would be able to point me where to find him.

We quickly reached the place, and I hopped off. I barged through the door, everyone’s eyes fixing on me and my Inspector badge. As expected, the dwarf was there, all fidgety and nervous. He went pale as a sheet the moment he saw me. I smiled and approached ominously.

I like how people squirm when they face me.

The crowd parted, leaving the dwarf on his own as if he were contagious.

He let out a whimper. This was going to be easy.

I finally had the full name, Allen Smith, a foreign magician. The stuttering dwarf babbled about the man likely being at the Academy. He sputtered out also that he had a job as an enchanter for the military. It seemed an empty boast, but I found no traces of lying.

I had just came back from the Academy, but it seemed I had to pay another visit. Military enchanters meant royal palace. I would need to get permission. Annoying.

I also asked other adventurers about this Allen Smith. It was confusing that most were referring to a certain “Allen Skullcrusher”, a warrior who allegedly pounded a troll to death with a mace. It was probably two different people. I was looking for a magician.

I headed back to the Academy.

Allen Smith wasn’t there. I had just missed him, or so the clerks claimed.

This chase was starting to get tedious. Was this person trying to avoid me?

I asked the Academy personnel for all the information on him. But all I got were denials and apologies, Archmage orders. The Ice Queen had forbidden any personal information to be disclosed without her explicit consent.

And, of course, she was conveniently away from her office at that time.

Clerks usually sang like birds when it came to helping investigations. It was extremely unusual for me to encounter issues in acquiring intelligence on nobles and adventurers. What’s so special about this guy?

When an Inspector comes knocking, you best start talking. Such a situation was abnormal.

I did not give up, however. I approached all the available teachers and asked them what they knew.

What I got didn’t make sense. Allen had enrolled this same year. Allegedly new at magic, he was managing to pass most courses right away. I would have accepted it if it were a young genius, but here we were talking about a grown man.

It was simply impossible for the spirit of an adult to show such magical flexibility. He must’ve had previous experience and joined while pretending to know nothing to seek attention.

A foreign spy? Why would an Archmage allow him to be and even protect him? I felt I was missing crucial pieces of the puzzle.

The next breakthrough came while talking to teacher Jalatine Val Kordaste, who kindly showed me an illusory image of this mysterious Allen Smith.

I had already seen that face! The sleepy-looking person who came out of the Ice Queen’s office!

Damn it, I swore silently. To think he had been so close!

A foreigner. Attending the Academy. Never mingled with the other students. Protected by an Archmage. Involved in the military. Crossed path with the gray cape.

My gut was screaming at me that I was onto something.

Did the Archmage know about this person’s encounter with the gray caped man?

Was there a conspiracy going on?

I had to talk to the old man. It would be strange for him not to have heard of such a particular individual. This guy stood out like a sore eye.

But first, I would pay a visit to where this suspicious person was lodging.

Experience taught me I had to find whatever evidence there could be before he caught wind that I was onto him. It would not do to give him time to dispose of compromising clues.

I rushed to the place the dwarf mentioned, a location I was already acquainted with.

I, of course, had to pay a visit to make sure this was a respectable establishment. And make sure the owner understood what would happen if any noble resident were to receive untoward treatment. And by that, I meant Ellin, but I had to keep my affiliation unclear, which was why I made sure other nobles had lodged in this inn before making my move. Also, I never mentioned my family name—which I had to cast aside when I became an Inspector.

Some greedy inn owners wouldn’t think twice before organizing some unfortunate happenstances to their noble, or adventurer, patrons. I had learned the hard way in my younger days. The least I could do was make sure Ellin didn’t have to endure such discomfort behind the relative safety of Valarest’s walls.

To the world, I’m Inspector Kiras. Cold-blooded. Efficient. Grown distant from the family due to unwavering loyalty to his duty.

And that was good.

If anyone powerful enough decided to kidnap Ellin to force me to close an eye to their magical misdeeds, I would never forgive myself.

There was a highly suspicious person. At the same place my lovely niece was staying.

Unforgivable! An unnecessary element of disruption. A potential dang—

“Everything all right, master Inspector?” The cart driver inquired. “You look unusually tense today, if I may say.”

I cast a glance at the driver, releasing the tension in my fist. I hopped down without answering and stormed inside the inn.

The innkeeper’s eyes grew large as he saw me, and he bowed. “I-Inspector, what a pleasant sur—”

“Show me into Allen Smith’s room,” I said menacingly.

“B-But…” He stammered.

“Now,” I ordered in a low voice.

He quickly complied, unlocking the room with shaking hands. I walked inside.

“Leave me,” I ordered and waited until I was alone.

I inspected the suite rooms. Alchemical instruments, armor, several stacks of paper written with glyphs I couldn’t recognize, maces… Wait, maces? I was reminded of the rumors about the so-called Skullcrusher.

There was also the smell of magic in the air and a peculiar feeling about it. I activated my mana sight.

The room blazed alight. I carefully inspected every nook and cranny for any trace of demonic mana.

I found a hidden compartment hiding several enchanted items, as expected from an enchanter.

All the mana belonged to the same person. And then it dawned on me why I felt such a peculiar feeling.

I had already observed this mana signature before!

The mysterious incident several months ago… I had been called to investigate the area where a large-scale magical event had occurred. The area was brimming with powerful signatureless mana. But even more sinister was the humanoid-shaped hole in the ground, holding faint traces of this same signature!

All who came to investigate had no idea of what could have happened. Not even the spirit whisperers were able to offer any insight. The monstrous amounts of mana involved had scared all the spirits away.

Had some forbidden experiment gone wrong? We had no clue at all.

And then again recently, when I investigated the sites involved with the refugees. I had inspected a combat site where a group of mercenaries had carried an attack. I encountered traces of that same signature on an iron helmet which felt like a spent illusion. Although, I wasn’t entirely sure of that because the residual magics had almost decayed.

The gray cape came from Noirdant with the refugees.

Coincidence?

Had this Allen Smith reached out to the saboteurs hidden among the refugees?

If that were the case, how could he fool an Archmage?

Unless the Archmage herself knew or was a betrayer… but no, impossible. The Oaths…

Too much noise, I thought to myself. I had to share my findings with the old man.

And watch that guy carefully.

“Back so soon?” The old man asked as I showed myself in. “What about the investigation? Have you spoken with the witness yet?”

“Not yet,” I began. “I need all we have on a certain Allen Smith, urgently,” I said.

He looked at me, his eyebrows furrowing up. “And how do you know that name, Inspector Kiras?” He asked with an inquisitive tone.

Surprise betrayed my face. “You know about him?! I need to know everything.”

“Slow down, Inspector.” He said while raising a hand. “First of all, what business do you have with this person?”

“It’s about the case!” I said with a hint of exasperation.

I had to understand what was going on before removing this danger from my beloved niece’s proximity.

“How so?” The old man asked.

I ground my teeth in frustration. Why was he being so cagey? Who the hell was this Allen Smith?!

“He may be more involved than we imagine. He could even be one of the saboteurs!” I said, voice rising.

He considered my words for a moment. “I’m afraid you’ll have to explain to me your reasoning.”

And so I did, laying down all the suspicious facts I had uncovered.

He stared at me impassively during all the exposition. Then remained silent for a few moments.

“Hmmm… I was not aware of the correlation with that large-scale magical event. Very interesting,” He mumbled, narrowing his eyes. “I have to admit I know much less than I feel comfortable with… However, I believe any correlation with the demonic forces to be purely coincidental.”

“What?” I sputtered.

“I suggest you take your question to Archmage Violet Val Mariannet,” He said. “Do you really think they would let anyone near the castle walls without proper vetting?”

“But…”

“Even I am not privy to all the schemes that happen within the royal walls, Inspector” He grimaced.

“But you are—”

“I know! Over three hundred years, and still they try hiding the vital pieces of information from me!” He sighed.

“Anyway,” He cleared his throat. “He may be under the protection of an Archmage, but I see no reason why you should not proceed to interrogate him: Just make sure to move carefully!”

So disposing of this person was off the table… a shame. I scowled.

“And of course, report only to me. Avoid attracting attention.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You said he works with the military enchanters? I’m expecting a delivery from them. I’ll grant you permission to enter the grounds. See if you can get in touch with Allen Smith.”

“Thank you, sir,” I thanked the old man and took my leave.

I had a quick lunch before getting to the next step.

An Inspector never relents.

I had been granted admission to the outer walls. The snow had mercifully stopped its frenzied dance.

Overseer Lorinthar finished inspecting the paper. “Everything seems in order, Inspector. I will have your order delivered presently.”

“Ah, in the meanwhile… would you be so kind as to let me trade words with a certain Allen Smith, supposed to be working here as a military enchanter?”

He stared at me silently, trying to weigh my intent.

“I understand he was employed here by the grace of Archmage Violet Val Mariannet. I shall not keep him from his duties.”

“I see… yes, he should be here. I’ll have him deliver the magical items so you can speak. Please wait here.” He said as he left.

Having legitimate reasons to be somewhere and dropping the right names can always make things easier. I didn’t have to wait long.

“Excuse me. You must be the man overseer Lorinthar spoke of?” The newcomer said with a foreign accent. Allen Smith.

I took a good look. He was indeed the man I saw outside the Ice Queen office.

Unlined face. Smooth hands. A noble upbringing? Or a son of a wealthy merchant?

“Indeed.” I acknowledged.

“This is for you, sir.” He said politely, delivering the package.

He didn’t seem to notice the Inspector badge pinned on my chest.

Not from our neighboring kingdoms, then? Or just never heard about Inspectors? Everyone knows about Inspectors.

Or does he know and has a good stone-face?

He was about to turn away. “A moment,” I said. He stopped and faced me again, with no change of expression.

“I also wished to speak with you, Allen Smith.” I prodded him.

He blinked.

No surprise? He definitely had a practiced stone-face.

“I’m an Inspector,” I said, pointing at my badge. “I was hoping to collect your testimony about a certain matter.”

“Oh… so you’re the Inspector who was looking for me?” He said, straightening his back. “How can I help?”

He knew about me, which meant he had either talked with the dwarf or another adventurer from the Guild.

“I understand you had an encounter with a gray caped man, being chased by soldiers.”

He thought about it for a moment. His eyes fixed on mine.

“Hmm… The rude man who bumped against me and sent me to the ground, maybe?”

I tensed. It was finally time to get this damn testimony sorted out. I had been running left and right the whole day.

“What did he look like?” I asked.

“He had a gray tattered cape.” He said without offering further details.

“What about his face?” I inquired when I realized he wasn’t going to elaborate further without a prod. “What did he look like?”

Trying to withhold important details?

“It was night. I didn’t see it.”

A convenient if true answer. He was playing it safe.

“Did he say anything to you?” I asked, paying attention to his eyes. The eyes could tell much. But again, he didn’t shift his gaze significantly enough to let me read his pattern.

Is he being guarded? I wondered. At first sight, he appeared to have a relaxed posture. But there was a stiffness to it.

“Hmm, yes.” He admitted. “He said something like ‘Are you a–’, and then ran away because he was being chased by the guards.”

He had heard the culprit! I cast aside my accusations for a moment as I set down the package and took out the Witness from my pocket. This had to be recorded.

“That’s not a truth stone, is it?” Allen Smith asked with a glint of curiosity in his eyes. He knows about truth stones? They were scarcely used to avoid people coming up with countermeasures.

“No. This device will record an unfalsifiable memory of your testimony. Give me your hand.” I ordered.

Any refusal now would reveal his allegiance with the culprit. I had him in my hands. I felt my lips slightly curling up. It didn't matter under whose wing he was if he dug his own grave.

“Cool! How does it work? Can I buy one?” He enthusiastically proffered a hand. His stone-face gone leaving space to unexpected enthusiasm.

Heh?

That’s not the reaction I was expecting. His face was now clearly betraying a hunger to take the magical device apart.

My victorious smile was stillborn.

Right, he’s an enchanter… I reasoned.

“Do you think I could extract a perfect replica of any song I ever heard with it? I’ve been trying with acoustic illusions but…”

I stared emptily. What is this guy talking about? I felt my control of the conversation fall apart.

“What about muvis? I assume there’s a limit about how much can be reco—”

“Silence!” I yelled, my patience waning. Then I grabbed his hand and closed mine on his with the Witness in the middle.

He raised an eyebrow.

“Recall that moment,” I said.

I saw his memory unfolding. Something irrelevant about glassware. The annoyance of being sprawled on the cobblestones. Checking on the glassware, fearing it had broken. Relief about the glassware. Mara’s knives! Enough about the damn glassware!

Finally, a grey caped man. And his voice.

Done! The memory—that did not present any inconsistency—had been sealed within the Witness successfully. By the grace of the God of Knowledge, it could not be tampered with.

“Can I take a look? I’m an enchan-” Allen Smith said with dangerous curiosity.

I swatted his hand away and safely deposited the precious testimony back in my inner pocket. We had the culprit’s voice.

It appeared he really didn’t know about the saboteur. Although, that doesn’t exclude that he may be a sleeper agent.

“Was that all?” He asked. “Where can I buy one of those devices? Could you let me take a look at on—”

“Enough! We’re done.” I dismissed him, unwilling to deal with the barrage of questions. I am the one who’s supposed to ask the questions!

I picked the package back up and nodded to the guards. Only a few steps later, as we were heading back outside the walls, did I remember that there were many more questions I wanted to be answered, and gritted my teeth.

His annoying excitement had caught me off guard. Had I been manipulated?

I was definitely going to keep an eye on him.