In Order to Meet You, Beloved - Chapter 71

EPISODE 71

CHAPTER 10: WHAT I WANT TO SAY

“It doesn’t seem to be related to magic.”

As Lyneth cautiously opened the conversation, a few robed figures nodded in agreement.

Papers were scattered haphazardly across a large, round wooden table. The expressions of the people staring down at the sheets filled with various writings and drawings were quite serious. Tyrain asked again as if confirming.

“Are you certain?”

“Yes. Everyone on the investigation agrees, but there was no trace of magic anywhere at the crime scene.”

After completing a preliminary investigation, they had secretly gathered at the designated meeting place. They set standards on what needed investigation and then began their activities by moving in pairs or trios, mixing priests and soldiers.

“So it’s not the work of an unregistered wizard. At least that’s a relief.”

If it had been someone capable of using magic, they would have been even more difficult to deal with. However, this also made tracking them a bit harder.

Max, Tyrain’s deputy, spread out a few sheets of paper so everyone could see them and continued to speak seriously.

“For now, it’s certain that they’re operating within the capital. While we don’t know where the murders took place, the bodies were discovered in different locations. Since it would have been difficult to transport the corpses over long distances, they likely confined the victims nearby before committing the acts.”

The victims’ limbs bore signs of pressure as if they had been bound. The more rigid and decomposed the bodies, the more pronounced the marks were.

“If the areas where the bodies were found don’t overlap, we might be able to narrow down the locations where the culprit could appear, based on similar characteristics of the sites. We could station soldiers there to keep watch.”

“We’ve already deployed soldiers to some of the anticipated locations.”

Frida, a priestess standing opposite Max, quietly asked.

“Is it possible that no one has been kidnapped yet?”

“Well, disappearances on the streets are so common… unless the number of missing people is unusually high, it’s hard to notice. If it’s someone from a decent family, they usually try to handle it quietly rather than making it public.”

As a mix of relief and disappointment started to spread across everyone’s faces, Tyrain looked around and added with a sly smile.

“But, there is one person who might be a kidnapping victim.”

“Who?”

“I’ve heard that the daughter of Viscount Lindbergh has gone missing. Mirian Lindbergh, I believe. She hasn’t been seen for the past ten days.”

“Ten days?”

“Yes. Since her body hasn’t been found yet, it seems she hasn’t been killed… but it appears to be a time-sensitive situation.”

“What if she’s already been killed and just hasn’t been found yet?”

“That’s unlikely. It’s no coincidence that all the bodies have been found in easily noticeable places. This person craves attention. If there had been a body, it would have been discovered by now.”

Sandra, another priestess, spoke up.

“At this point, shouldn’t we issue a public order to catch the culprit before more victims are harmed?”

Tyrain shook his head.

“That might be exactly what the culprit wants. The fact that they seem to have a desire to show off makes that clear. If we act rashly, we could provoke them.”

“Damn it.”

“Anyway, I went to the Viscount’s house and gathered some details.”

As he continued his explanation, the others listening carefully began to nod one by one.

“According to the servants’ testimonies, it’s suspected that the place she disappeared from was the back garden of the mansion.”

“They found a hair tie she often wore near the garden.”

“Normally, this person doesn’t leave such traces behind. Was it because it was night?”

“Probably. But there’s something else unusual here.”

‘She’s been quite anxious for the past few days. Right before she disappeared, she was busy grooming herself…’

Tyrain had noticed a maid with an unusual demeanor during his inquiry. She kept her head low as if to avoid attention, and her pale complexion suggested something was amiss.

Upon investigation, he discovered that she was one of the personal maids who followed Mirian Lindbergh closely. Tyrain managed to coax her into talking, only after promising not to mention it to anyone in the household.

‘It’s not typical to put on makeup at night, right? I asked her if she had plans to go out, but she only mentioned going for a walk.’

Even as she spoke, the maid seemed frightened, shrinking into herself and glancing around nervously. She then whispered so softly that it was barely audible.

‘At that time, she seemed… well, it’s just a feeling, but she looked like a girl going to meet someone she liked.’

Tyrain also lowered his voice.

‘Did she ever mention who it was?’

The maid shook her head.

‘Unless the young lady mentioned it first, we wouldn’t dare ask her anything, as you know.’

Clasping her hands tightly, the maid thought for a moment before speaking again.

‘Oh! There was one thing she said that concerned me a bit…’

“We might be able to identify a suspect. Perhaps.”

As soon as Tyrain said this, everyone began murmuring. Lyneth narrowed her eyes as she looked at Tyrain.

“But how did you find that out?”

“Pardon?”

“Just a moment ago, you mentioned that families of this status usually keep things quiet when something like this happens. I’m curious how you managed to get those esteemed people to talk.”

Tyrain placed a finger over his lips and smiled slyly.

“That’s a secret.”

Lyneth frowned, but Tyrain ignored her and addressed the group.

“But we’re not yet certain if there’s a connection, so it’s better if we split up. Is there anyone here familiar with social circles?”

“Social circles?”

The priests all shook their heads, clearly not interested, and a few of the soldiers raised their hands. Tyrain pointed to two of them.

“Julia and Marcel, you two come with me. Max and Daniel, continue the investigation with the others. There’s still more to be done with the inquiries at the victim’s household.”

“Understood. How should we stay in touch?”

The temple granted special permission to the priests to use magical hand mirrors. These mirrors were made by adding special materials during the glass manufacturing process, then cutting the glass into multiple mirrors, and embedding them with magic stones. Communication was freely possible between mirrors made from the same glass, but adding more functions would require several times the cost and materials.

Currently, there were five people with mirrors, all priests. Strict, meticulous types, Tyrain thought as he glanced at the priests.

“One of you will need to lend me a mirror.”

“Take mine.”

Daniel readily handed his mirror to Tyrain. As the priests murmured among themselves, Tyrain whistled softly.

“Oh, do you trust me?”

“Trust should be met with trust.”

Instead of pointing out the meaning behind Daniel’s calm reply, Tyrain gave a slight smile before his expression turned serious again.

“Let me know if you find out anything. Let’s get going.”

There’s no time to waste. Everyone nodded at these words, gathered their belongings, and prepared to leave.

***

“…Hmm.”

Cordelia slowly opened her eyes, rubbing her face against her arm. Her blurred vision gradually became clear.

The sight of dozens of papers and items cluttering the large table jolted her fully awake. Cordelia quickly sat up, feeling the stiffness in her arms and shoulders from lying down for too long.

She immediately looked at her hands. Instead of her usual smooth, delicate hands, she saw large, rough ones and instantly knew.

“This is Noah’s body, isn’t it?”

When did this happen again?

Since this was the third time, she wasn’t as shocked as before. Judging by the bright sunlight streaming through the closed window and illuminating the items on the desk, it seemed to be morning. After days of continuous rain, the weather had finally cleared. The chirping of birds echoed in her ears.

“Ugh, I’m not… sleepy?”

She doesn’t usually wake up this early.

Somehow, being in Noah’s body always made her feel a bit self-conscious. Maybe she should work on building up her stamina.

Yawning loudly, Cordelia checked her appearance, then stood up and looked around the room.

She had thought it before when she woke up here last time, but for someone as tidy as Noah, his workshop was surprisingly messy. The desk was piled high with papers, to the point of being overwhelming, and despite being cleaned, there were still traces of paint on the floor and mysterious bits of debris.

And there was so much stuff. Not just the paintings on canvases, but also small sculptures and what looked like architectural blueprints.

“Wow, this is amazing.”

“Is this a painting? He’s good at landscapes too. Just like someone in love, there’s nothing he can’t do.”

“Are these animals…? They’re really small. A rabbit, it’s a rabbit!”

“Oh? What’s this…?”

Muttering to herself, Cordelia examined the plaster sculptures, slightly larger than her hand, before approaching a white pillar-like plaster statue nearby. The statue had only a vaguely shaped face, making it difficult to discern whether the figure was male or female.

Cordelia gazed at the statue, slightly taller than herself, and reached out to gently stroke its face.  

“It’s cold.”  

The sensation of the cold plaster sticking to her palm felt strangely fascinating. This seemed to be the same statue she had seen last time, yet it was still in this unfinished state. She recalled hearing that Noah was quite quick with his work.  

“And he said he doesn’t usually do portraits, right?”  

Usually, people seek out artists for portraits, which makes them rather unique. Well, since it wasn’t a matter of making a living, there was no need to force himself to do something he didn’t want to.  

But now…  

“I’m hungry.”  

The food here was pretty good. Last time, when their bodies had swapped, she had rushed out without having breakfast.  

Cordelia noticed a pair of neatly placed gloves on the table and slipped them on.  

“Alright, this time I’ll take it slow, eat, and then get moving. But I wonder if Noah is okay?”  

Remembering something she had forgotten, Cordelia murmured. That’s right, she fell asleep at the duke’s mansion yesterday.  

Since Rick wasn’t around yet, she had visited the mansion last time because the servants were disappointed and asking when she’d return. But, of all days, it had to happen today.  

Moreover, considering today’s schedule, she can’t help but worry.  

“Whatever, he’ll handle it somehow. I guess I’ll check in when I get back to the mansion…”  

They had already agreed that if their bodies switched again, they would meet at Cordelia’s residence. It would be awkward to visit the duke’s mansion in Noah’s body, after all.  

Would Noah be flustered again because of the body swap? She wouldn’t mind seeing that panicked face of his.  

With a mischievous thought in mind, Cordelia energetically opened the door and stepped outside. As she walked towards the dining hall, she tried hard to compose her expression. Since Noah had introduced her to everyone in the mansion just in case, as long as she behaved properly, everything should be fine.  

Cordelia walked down the empty hallway with a light step and pushed open the door to the dining hall.  

And then she froze in place.  

Someone was already seated at the table, dressed in a navy blue dress. The woman had dark blue hair, a pale face, and finely sculpted features. The golden hairpin in her hair, adorned with various gemstones arranged like a three-dimensional flower, caught Cordelia’s eye.  

The woman was known as one of the kingdom’s most renowned beauties, and Cordelia was suddenly reminded of how much Noah resembled her.  

The clinking of cutlery against the plate stopped. The woman turned to look at Cordelia, her dark blue eyes brightening as they met hers.