As soon as I stepped out of my room for my early morning exercise, I was met with a scene that made me hesitate about whether to speak up or not. 0

However, the two outsiders seemed to be involved in a serious issue. Upon hearing the word “murder,” I acted before I could think.0

“We need to conduct an important investigation regarding a murder that occurred at the Imperial Magic Department. We’ve already secured the Temple’s cooperation.”0

Harriet looked back and forth between me and the investigators. There was no way Harriet could have done something like murder.0

“May I stay with her?”0

It seemed clear that Harriet had gotten involved in something unusual.0

***0

The investigators from the Magic Department seemed to know who I was. Despite the gravity of the case, they allowed me to accompany Harriet without much fuss when I offered to act as her guardian. 0

Fortunately, their questioning took place not outside the Temple but within the Royal Class dormitory, in one of the vacant duty rooms.0

Harriet seemed completely unaware of what was happening to her, and I was just as clueless about the situation I had suddenly been thrust into. 0

Harriet had been at the Imperial Magic Department until late the previous night. She had seemed a little frightened yesterday, but had dismissed it as her imagination. 0

Was something indeed amiss?0

“What is… going on?” Harriet asked, her lips trembling slightly, and one of the investigators slowly explained the situation to her.0

“Last night, three staff members were murdered in the research archives of the Imperial Magic Department, and several tomes were stolen.”0

Murder...0