The Assassin and The Blind Saint

Arc 1 Chapter 8: Investigations

[ Sirius POV ]

The next morning, Lena and I began to visit the homes of several families of the residents who died unnaturally late - this late. We were told by Reinhold the location of their families' residences and workplaces.

First of all, we went to the family residence of the latest deceased citizen, Riley. She lives with her sister named Rifaul. She previously worked as an assistant to the Village Chief, but had to stop to take care of her family's farm after her brother died.

Not long after, we arrived at a house made of simple wood.

Geck! Geck! Geck!

“Excuse me, is this true Rifaul residence?”

After waiting for a while, there was no reply from inside the house.

“Maybe he is working on his farm,” Lena said.

We then went to the back of the house to a cattle farm. There was a man who was about –, about the same age as me, milking a cow. The man noticed us from a distance and approached us.

“Who and what business are you doing here?” tanyakanya.

“My name is Lena and this is Sirius. We want to ask you some things about your brother who just died, is it not what – what sir?” Lena introduced us and then stated our purpose here.

“Ah, okay. Sit in the Gazebo by the pool there. I will finish my business in a few minutes,” said Rifaul while pointing the direction of a Gajebo not far from here.

We then walked to the Gajebo and sat down while enjoying the cool atmosphere of the countryside.

“I think I know why many people – city people who moved and settled into this village,” said Lena. “Here the air is cool and the atmosphere is calm. People – people are also very friendly.” he added.

Lena then inquired about the details of – details of the scenery seen here to me. Shortly afterwards, Rifaul came along while carrying some cookies and milk.

"Try this cake and milk. I assure you, it feels very different in the places you've met," Rifaul offered it to Lena.

“Ah Mr. Rifaul, you do not need to bother – fuss like this,” said Lena.

“Not what –, actually very rarely who visit this place. So there's no harm if I want you guys to be more comfortable here, right? and don't call me sir, I'm not that far with you guys,”. “So, what do you want to know about my brother?” tanyakanya.

This time, I answered the question.

“Do you know, some residents here are suspecting that the death of some villagers late – this late because it was killed someone?” my many.

Rifaul sat down before us and answered.

“Yes, I understand why people think so. All I know is that the people who died were citizens who often interacted with Lydia,”, he said. “My sister used to interact with him a lot before Lydia died and I think she used to talk to Johann about her death,”.

“Regarding the death of your brother, is there anything awkward?” my many.

Rifaul then fell silent as if – if remembering something.

“Before it disappeared, I guess he used to complain about always having a nightmare. After 2 days in the search, he was found dead hanging himself in a tree in the hills west of the village,” replied Rifaul with a heavy tone. “My brother is not a depressed person. The opposite is even, he is always cheerful and easy to socialize,” he added.

“Can I check the clothes he was wearing when found dead?” my many.

“Yes, of course. This is the key to my brother's room, the shirt he is wearing is a green tunic shirt,” replied Rifaul while handing over a key.

“Is it okay – what if Lena is here with Rifaul?” my many.

“Of course, if Rifaul doesn't mind if Sirius alone checks his brother's – items,” replied Lena.

“Nothing – what, yesterday I met Mr. Morlin and he told me about you two,”.

After getting permission from Rifaul, I went into his house and approached a closed door. I put the key in and opened the room. In it is very neat that has the impression Riley is a diligent and disciplined person.

I saw a green tunic shirt hanging by the window. I picked it up and checked every detail of the shirt. There is a faint smell of faint – that is a little familiar. The smell was very strong when it approached a pocket. There is a purple flower there. Looking at him, I've started to get clues as to why Riley committed suicide.

...----------------...

[Lena POV ]

“Yes, at the end of this the villagers are very afraid if the next victim is their family or closest friends. Hopefully my brother is the last,” said Rifaul in a sad tone.

We chatted about the state of the Village while waiting for Sirius to conduct his investigation. I then tried the cake and milk given by Rifaul.

“Kue and this milk taste very different to others, I like a little bit of salty taste in this milk and combined with the unique sweetness of this cake both complement each other.”

“Of course, residents here add their cow's milk with a special liquid from a tree that only grows in this area. And for the cake, we don't use sugar. However, we use the unique Elmora bee honey,” said Rifaul proudly.

Moments later, I heard Sirius' footsteps approaching.

“Did you find anything?” rifaul asked Sirius.

“Yes, I've at least gotten some leads. I think we will go to the family residence of the deceased with another oddity to add a hint,” replied Sirius.

“Alright, may you succeed in the investigation,” said Rifaul.

“Thank you Rifaul for the milk and cake, very delicious,” I said as I stood up to follow Sirius.

After leaving Rifaul's residence, we then went to several houses of the families of the people who died unnaturally. Some died from sudden accidents and poisoning. Sirius said the four dead had interacted with Lydia before she died.

According to Lampert, Johann was a plant-seller-friendly man. We arrived at Johann's residence in the afternoon. The smell - the aroma of plants mixed around his house.

“Lena, I entrust the conversation with Johann to you. I'll investigate around his house for clues,” Sirius's request.

“Yes, just leave it to me,” I replied.

“And try to ask him to follow one of his activities.”

“Why?” I just don't understand the purpose of Sirius asking me like that.

“I'll tell you why later when we're at the inn,” the answer is ambiguous.

Geck! Geck! Geck!

We went to his door and there was no answer at all. After a while of waiting, a man was seen heading here. He is Johann the owner of this house. He approached us and said.

“Who are you and what's my business?”

“Ah, Mr Johann, huh? Can we talk for a minute?” my many.

“Of course, we better talk in the living room,” he replied.

Johann opened his door and let us in. Sirius remained silent and said.

“I'm just his guard. As you can see, he was blind and I just drove him here. I'll wait outside,” Sirius said.

“Alright, let's go in young lady,” Johann said.

I sat in the living room and told him what we were coming for.

“My name is Lena and the cold guy outside is Sirius, our arrival is to ask you some things about your wife. Is Mr Johann pleased?”

“Ahh Lydia well. The end of – this last many residents asked about it,” said Johann. “I just visited his grave,” he added.

“Look, you and your wife are from the City in the Empire but moved to settle here about 1 year ago.”

“Yes, more precisely we are from Siselia City in Duchy Salisburg. I married Lydia when we were 20. I worked as a plant seller while Lydia worked in one of the Ministry of Magic Departments in the Habsburg Empire,” Johann said in a melancholic tone.

“We live a happy life for 4 years of our marriage even though it has not been gifted a child,” he said, whose eyes look began to glaze over.

“After raising enough money, we then moved here because Lydia wanted a new atmosphere. I still work as a plant seller while Lydia helps the villagers with her various affairs,” he explained in a different tone of voice this time.

“When it started to live here, it was clear that Lydia was changing. He smiles more often and interacts with the people around him. The citizens rely heavily on him and always try to approach him at all times.”

I felt Mr. Johann's tone change become even more distressed when I told him about Lydia's change.

“Here, Lydia seems happier. However, the happiness did not last long,” said Mr. Johann in a sad tone.

“I at that time asked him to look for a plant on the hill but, he did not return. We found him at night with scratches on his neck and stomach,” explains Mr Johann in an increasingly heavy tone.

“I-this is all my fault…. Ji-if only I didn't ask him that time…. Uhhh.”

Mr. Johann's voice was held back because he started crying. After a while, when he came back he could control his emotions.

“I'm sorry Lena. It's just, I miss Lydia so much,” said Mr. Johann.

“Ah is okay – what. I'm sorry if I made you discuss this sensitive subject.”

“Nothing – what Lena, let's continue our conversation.”

...----------------...

[ Sirius POV ]

After Lena entered the guest room with Johann, I then saw – see the collection of plants that Johann has. After a while of checking, I didn't find any plants that matched the ones I found in Riley's pocket. I think I should investigate further tonight. Not long after, Lena and Johan open the door. Looks like Lena has finished talking to him. Lena then said goodbye to Johann and approached me. We left Johann's residence.

“Then, how did he behave when telling about his wife?” my many.

“This is strange you know, on the other hand his sadness feels real when telling his life when in the village. However, there was an emotion of relief when she told him about Lydia's death,” replied Lena was seen putting her hand on her chin. “She even cried and I felt her crying was real,”.

“Then, will Lena talk to him again tomorrow?” my many.

“Yes, I followed your advice and will follow him looking for plants tomorrow morning – once a morning,” he replied.

“Begukah.”

We arrived at the inn when the sun had set. I took Lena to her room and said.

“I'll go somewhere tonight then meet the village chief to talk to him.”

“Yes, good night, Sirius. Be careful,” Lena said with a smile.

“Ya, good night Lena.