Chapter 414

Berthus seemed to have come to investigate an incident that occurred within the palace as a member of the royal family, and he met us at the entrance. Fortunately, without needing to explain much, Harry and I were able to enter the sealed magic department building with Berthus. "You want to investigate?" "Yeah, I want to try to do something." Berthus cocked his head at my words, as if he didn't know why I wanted to get involved in this incident. But when he turned his gaze to Harry standing next to me, he nodded his head. "They say Sang-tuan was doing research in the magic department...?" "Yeah... the culprit was the librarian in charge of the reading room I used to go to." "Really?" Berthus nodded his head as if he didn't know that fact. Berthus narrowed his eyes and sighed. "It must have been a shock. Were you close...?" "No, not really... just talked about something yesterday... something was strange yesterday. I told the people in the royal magic department earlier..." "Okay, we'll hear about it from them." Berthus put his arms around me and looked around the magic department. "It wouldn't hurt to have more brains to think about it. Let's go together, for now." Berthus didn't seem to think we could find out anything, but he allowed us to investigate together. * * * After the incident occurred and the safety of the magic department and the surrounding area was secured, Berthus seemed to have come to the magic department. Did Charlotte know about this, as she stayed in the dormitory yesterday? With the attendants Berthus brought, we headed to the magic department research library where the incident occurred. "It doesn't matter to me, but I think Reinhardt will be okay too. Are you okay?" "Me? What...?" "You have to see the body." He was asking if I could handle it, as from now on, I might have to see some difficult scenes. "Ah, um... yeah. I'm okay." Harry seemed a little shaken, but nodded as if he could handle it. Harry may not have much resistance to such things, but he had witnessed a terrible scene before when he saw the chimeras at Aaron Mede's mansion. He had even seen the remains of countless chimeras that Ellen had cut up. Although he may not have resistance, he had witnessed a terrible scene before. "Okay, let's go then." We walked towards the magic department research library. The attendant briefed us on the incident so that Berthus and we could hear it. "The estimated time of the incident is around 2 a.m. last night. The suspect, identified as Dwin, killed three duty workers, Arleca, Sadman von Greentes, and Linia Wenson, who were classifying and interpreting newly received magic books, and fled with the magic books." The research library was located underground in the magic department, and it was quite deep. Although the locks were currently unlocked, it was clear that it was not a place where anyone could enter easily. "The summary of the incident is that Dwin, the suspect, waited for the time when the research library had the minimum number of people, killed the duty workers, and fled with the magic books. Berthus suspects that Dwin is the only one without a record of leaving work and no record of leaving the magic department building after the incident. The group is heading towards the research library, which is located underground and not easily accessible. Berthus assures the protagonist and Harry that the magic department has taken thorough measures to prevent theft and other problems, but the problem is whether Dwin is still in the palace or has already escaped. The situation is more dangerous than the protagonist and Harry had thought. Berthus tries to reassure them that he wouldn't have come if the magic department wasn't safe. The protagonist feels the stares of the other attendants, realizing that Berthus is a member of the royal family and their conversation is not something that happens every day. They arrive at the scene of the incident, and Harry is shocked by what he sees." Berthus let out a short sigh with a frown on his face. He had been prepared for there to be a body, but he couldn't have imagined that the victim's eyeballs would be gouged out, their fingers and toes twisted, and their internal organs brutally spilled out. The attendant explained what had happened at the scene. It was unclear whether it could be considered a clue, but it was discovered that Dwin not only killed the duty workers but also tortured them before their deaths. The protagonist and Harry were also shocked by the gruesome sight. The duty workers were all high-ranking mages with combat experience, and it was concluded that Dwin was not an ordinary mage. He was suspected to be a spy planted by Kantus Magna in the palace. It was also discovered that Dwin had a considerable talent for dark magic, and it was speculated that he used a Regenerate spell, which had a healing effect similar to that of magic, but caused immense pain to the recipient. Berthus was surprised to hear that healing magic could be used for torture, and Harry was horrified by the revelation. "It was a chilling sound just to hear. Harry's body trembled as he heard that the deceased had been tortured, regenerated, and tortured again before being killed in terrible pain. Harry's eyes showed an emotion: anger. Beyond sadness and fear, Harry was angry at what Dwin had done. 'If the purpose was the magic book, they would have just killed them. What did they want to find out by torturing them...?' Berthus asked, and Harry replied, 'I... know...' It was clear that Harry was the last person to talk to Dwin before he committed the crime. He disappeared, and Harry explained to the investigators in a bewildered state. 'The source of the stolen magic books. He was trying to find out...' But when they saw the torture scene, Harry seemed to have a clear idea of what Dwin really wanted. * * * Ellen and Charlotte walked through the Algir shopping district and arrived at their destination. 'This is it. If my memory serves me right,' Ellen said, pointing to a shabby shop where she could reach the boy who saved her. 'It looks like no one's here.' 'That's probably true.' It felt like it had been closed for a long time. As the demon king revealed himself, the scroll shop owner disappeared without a trace. -Creak, creak. Ellen approached the door and pulled the handle, but of course, the door was firmly locked. Charlotte muttered without enthusiasm, 'There's nothing wrong with going in.' 'That's probably true.' Charlotte had forced the door open before, but now it was difficult to find any trace of the person who had evaporated on purpose. Charlotte knew that there was no other information to be gained from the only clue they could reach. But thinking that way and actually realizing it were different problems. It was too late. If they had gone to the Demon King's castle a little earlier. If they had known the truth a little earlier. If they had grabbed the shop owner and interrogated him more harshly. Then the world would not have needed heroes, and Ellen and Reinhardt would not have had to be in danger like this. But ironically. The Demon King's existence is still keeping Charlotte alive. The Demon King's existence made people feel the need for heroes, and as a result, Reinhardt and Ellen are supporting Charlotte, ensuring their own safety. If the times were not suspicious and gloomy, the world would have shown a disdainful reaction to the owners of the Holy Grail. So the position of the heroes would not have been so great, and Charlotte would not have been able to guarantee her survival through their protection. In the end, the Demon King is still acting as a driving force for Charlotte's life. Ellen looked up at the firmly closed shop door." "I didn't even ask the landlord's opinion," Ellen said casually. Of course, if they paid the repair costs later, that would be the end of it.

"Well, we've come this far, there's no reason not to check..."

"Ladies, that shop closed a long time ago."

Someone spoke behind them.

When Charlotte turned her head, there was a middle-aged man with a thick beard wearing an apron.

There could be nothing left in the empty shop. But it's not over yet, and there's no reason to give up.

"Yeah...that's right."

"Were you acquainted with the owner of this shop?"

"Hmm? I've seen him around here and there."

It was the last resort of investigation.

"Excuse me, could we talk for a moment?"

She tried to grasp at straws.

And Charlotte found a straw.