Hugo stood leaning against the window, gazing at the dim sky before sunrise. Watching dawn from his mansion was one of his few pleasures. The quietude of time when the world hadn't completely awakened brought peace to his mind. The chirping of early birds gradually roused his drowsy spirit.
Just then, a canary that had circled the ducal estate grounds fluttered its wings and perched on the windowsill.
When Hugo extended his palm, it hopped and perched on his fingertips. Soon it preened its feathers with its beak, then its form wavered and suddenly disappeared.
It was the start of an uneventful day. According to what it conveyed, though the streets hadn't completely shed the festive atmosphere of the birthday celebration, they were more orderly and clean than yesterday. The territory's people exchanged lively greetings while busily preparing for morning, and most seemed intent on returning to their proper places after setting aside their excited hearts.
Pondering the news the divine bird brought, Hugo rubbed his still rough chin, unable to shake off his languid state.
"I should do the same."
In his left hand was a communication magic device. It wasn't one usually used for work, but a special device paired uniquely with a designated product number.
This magic device, which hadn't rung even once during the past few months to the point he wondered if it was broken, had sounded its first signal last night. Before his hollow birthday as Duke Agrizendro had completely passed.
The light that blinked at the quiet hour with five minutes left until midnight instantly captured Hugo's tired gaze as he was wrapping up his day.
The sun that had suddenly left at dawn claiming urgent business had unexpectedly come around the time the moon rose. It was a moment when his worries all day about whether his refusal born of consideration had hurt his feelings melted away sweetly.
Hastily pressing the button lest the connection break, a brief silence accompanied by excitement followed. Then a low voice that tickled his ear offered a sweet first greeting.
—Weren't you sleeping?
From beyond the communication device somewhere in this land, the voice asking carefully sounded tired and hoarse. Hugo reflexively stood upright despite not being in front of the person.
He had paced by this window last night as well. Busily searching in the darkness for golden eyes that might be watching him.
'I was waiting.'
Though no words followed for a while, the low breathing served as an answer. The sound of rain could be heard where Leonardo was. Would his partner know his desire to wet even his clothes in the drizzling water drops? The late contact was both vexing and welcome.
—I left suddenly, so I felt I should apologize.
'It's fine. Did your business go well?'
—Yeah, well. Somehow.... What about you? You said you had business too.
'I resolved it appropriately too. There were unexpected gains as well.'
After Leonardo suddenly left and Hugo remained alone at the villa, he made several more contacts before returning to his main mansion.
'I'll have to check again tomorrow.'
The news he heard through his servant consisted of two matters. One was related to his great-aunt waiting at the mansion, but he had already asked for understanding about that matter and given instructions to the servants before inviting Leonardo to the villa.
However, for some reason, his great-aunt seemed displeased with the duke who left her at the mansion without returning home. As soon as he entered through the central door of the mansion, the frozen atmosphere touched his skin. All manner of torches and lamps had been lit waiting for their master.
But there would be no problem. No one except those who were there that day knew the villa's location. Even Flynn still didn't know.
So in fact, if Leonardo hadn't brought up needing to go somewhere, Hugo had planned to spend the remaining holiday and birthday secluded at the villa with him.
But the plan fell through, and while he was bitterly organizing the scattered time with him like afterimages, a surprise gift arrived to decorate the ending. Before Hugo could recognize his unseemly state, he sat perched on the windowsill without fastening his silk robe.
Turning his head halfway to stare at a particularly twinkling star, golden eyes holding light flickered before his eyes.
'I never thought the day would come when I'd hear your voice through this.'
—You said to act as my heart leads.
Leonardo's voice heard through the magic device sounded much calmer than in reality. Though it was clearly a statement that should sound ticklish and innocent, perhaps because he couldn't see the freely moving eyebrows or curled-up lips, the tone sounded subdued beyond calm, even drooping.
Around then, Hugo, sensing a strange atmosphere, asked.
'Leo, is something wrong?'
For several seconds again, only the sound of rainwater falling endlessly continued. Was he taking shelter from the bad weather under some eaves? Just as Hugo was about to ask again, wondering if he might be standing miserably in the rain.
—No.
His quickly brightened tone cleared his throat as if not wanting to transfer his burdens.
—I have a Part 2 match on the 16th at the 3rd Arena.
'3rd Arena? The location changed.'
Though the sporadic silences were concerning, Hugo didn't ask further. Instead, another opportunity presented itself.
—Want to meet after it ends?
As if talking face to face, the conversation continued softly until deep into the night.
Thanks to that, whatever the process was like, at least the beginning and end were perfect and special days.
He had inwardly hoped such a beginning would come today, a few hours later, but the magic device never sent a signal until dawn broke.
The splendor of sunrise gradually settled over the man's noble face. His blue pupils reflecting light were brilliant like jewels, borrowing someone's words.
The straight trajectory of his lowered eyelashes drew regular diagonal lines over his transparent irises.
Knock knock—
"Master, may I help you prepare?"
Just then, an attendant's voice from outside the door penetrated Hugo's thoughts. He, who had been staring into the distance, turned his eyes to the clock set to one side. Had it become this late already—it was time to finish preparations and go downstairs.
Hugo straightened his leaning body and answered.
"I'll be out soon."
Today there was something that couldn't be delayed more than ever.
* * *
"Good morning, Commander."
"Good morning."
Council members busily walking through the corridor spotted the Commander who seemed to have just arrived for work and offered greetings. Since he was already a difficult person to approach easily, anyone standing before him was bound to be nervous, but the members' expressions today were particularly stiff.
In an atmosphere no less tense than yesterday's ducal estate, Flynn, following Hugo, also glanced up at his superior. Hugo showed no particular emotion. He simply nodded in acknowledgment and headed toward the Commander's office.
Opening the firmly closed door and entering, Gabe, who had been pacing in front of the reception sofa, happened to look this way. Though he was usually possessed of a leisurely impression and manner of speaking contrary to his work processing speed, even he had a hardened face in this moment. Gabe bowed respectfully.
"You've arrived, Commander."
"What's the interrogation schedule?"
Hugo, approaching the office desk, gestured to draw back the curtains as he asked. Then he removed his jacket and handed it to Flynn. His outfit today was particularly white-toned. Though he usually preferred dark-colored shirts that contrasted with the white uniform, this was due to Flynn's suggestion about bright colors to avoid giving excessive pressure to the suspect in today's interrogation.
Thanks to this, Hugo in his vest was like a gentleman in white allowing not a speck of dust except for his shoes and tie. So seeing this, Gabe thought the Commander was determined. Excessive pure white rather gave a sense of pressure that one shouldn't provoke, especially if the opponent was the Council's Kazad, merciless to criminals.
"As soon as the Deputy Commander comes out of the interrogation room, his adjutant will contact us. I heard the schedule was slightly delayed because the suspect requested a meal break, but since they started from dawn, it should end soon."
"I'll check the statement first before going in. Did you secure a copy?"
"Yes, I typed it myself. There was some content with unclear meaning, but I didn't paraphrase it separately."
"Bring it here."
When Hugo extended his hand, Gabe handed over several neatly organized papers. The front page was a familiar case summary. Turning a few pages immediately, a handwritten statement filled with squiggly writing as if written with trembling hands was densely packed.
Hugo, quickly reading down three or four lines, paused at the words "superior's orders" repeated several times in the statement. How many months had been wasted until he could see and confirm this statement with his own eyes? He didn't know what change of heart led the insider to reveal the truth now. But what was certain was that there had been worth in persistently pursuing this case that had nearly ended as a mishap born of mistake.
Just as Hugo's eyes were mechanically scanning the document, a signal sounded from the adjutants' office located right next door. Flynn, who had gone to answer instead of Gabe, returned quickly after a few exchanges and reported to Hugo.
"The Deputy Commander has finished the interrogation."
"Let's go immediately. Prepare."
"Yes."
As soon as the instruction was given, Flynn gathered and packed the documents Gabe had handed over. Then they immediately moved to a secret location in the eastern annex.
Usually, when investigating suspects apprehended from outside, interrogation was conducted in the interrogation room at the very back of the investigation room, like the place Leonardo had entered before. However, today's interrogation location was not there. Opening the heavily guarded double doors, the personnel who had been monitoring inside the surveillance room jumped up from their seats.
"You've arrived, Commander."
Hugo answered with a gesture to sit and immediately approached Shorendo, who had been conversing with his adjutant.
Instead of questions, he placed his hand on the Deputy Commander's shoulder, and Shorendo only nodded with a complex expression.
Hugo barely swallowed a sigh and received the file folder Flynn had brought. Soon he entered the interrogation room where the suspect would be.
Click, hearing the sound, a man sitting with a gloomy complexion raised his head. He was wearing a Council uniform, and the interior scenery surrounding him looked like either a conference room or a fairly large meeting room.
It was a place mainly used when conducting interrogations related to incidents occurring within the Council. Though it was a considerably courteous location for an interrogation room where suspects were questioned, it was equally bleak.
"Commander—"
"Sit."
As the other person tried to rise from his seat, Hugo restrained him and sat in the investigator's seat across the large table.
He placed the interrogation materials he had brought on the surface and briefly leaned against the chair back, staring intently at the other person.
The owner of the statement was at a loss, unable to make eye contact. He only kept his head deeply bowed.
Hugo, who had been coldly examining his gestures, expressions, and breathing in detail, rolled his eyes toward the ceiling and let out a deep sigh.
"Let's begin."
Soon he lowered his eyes, having gathered his heavy feelings. Interlacing his hands and placing them down, he recited in a cold voice.
"Since when did you start inserting old-style handcuffs among S-class mage restraints?"