What they had witnessed traumatized even Sophie and Fiona, despite all their experience. Violet, Siegfried, and Rosika were shocked... and even traumatized.
Sophie: "Hmm..."
She quietly got up and let Violet continue sleeping. It was still dark outside. She walked to Fiona's room and gently opened the door.
Fiona: "Hmm?"
Sophie: "Mm."
She looked at Rosika. Fiona gently stroked Rosika's hair for a moment before getting up and stepping outside.
Sophie: "Well?"
Fiona: "Hmm... That group... Saint Louis... they're truly brutal. I'm worried about the new members..."
Sophie: "Yeah... Even I couldn't sleep. That poor woman."
Fiona: "Yeah... No one deserves something like that. Not in that way... Anyway... Once morning comes... we need to go see Celia. We'd better head back now before Violet and Rosika wake up."
Sophie: "Okay... Good night."
Fiona: "Good night."
Sophie: "(Cough)..."
They both returned to their rooms.
Sophie: "Hmm."
She lay back down beside Violet.
(Meanwhile)
Rosika: "(Zzz)... Mmm."
Fiona: "Shhhh..."
She gently stroked Rosika's head.
Fiona: "Hahh... I wonder if Siegfried is doing alright..."
(Meanwhile)
Siegfried: "(Snore!)... Mmmmm...(Twitches)..."
(A few hours later)
Sophie: "Hey... Sandy, how are you?"
Sandy: "Oh... Sophie... You're visiting me again... How sweet..."
Sophie: "Hehehe... Of course... Um... Fiona couldn't come... She's got a lot to do again."
Sandy: "I see..."
Fiona: "Surprise."
Sandy: "Huh!"
Sophie: "Hehehe... Just kidding. This time she could make it."
Fiona slowly walked over.
Fiona: "So... how have you been?"
Sandy: "I'm doing great... Thank you... so much... for visiting."
Fiona: "Of course..."
Sandy: "I heard the princess was kidnapped."
Fiona: "Yeah..."
Sandy: "Oh dear..."
Sophie: "Don't worry... We'll rescue her!"
Fiona: "We'll do our best."
Sandy: "I know you will... You saved my life... I'm sure... I'm sure the two of you can do it..."
Sophie: "And when are you allowed to leave?"
Sandy: "...In two days."
Sophie: "Really..."
Sandy: "Yeah... My doctor told me I should still be careful... and get plenty of rest."
Fiona: "Of course... Hmm."
Sophie: "Yeah, get some rest."
Fiona noticed a... strand of hair... lying on the floor. It didn't look very real.
Fiona: "Hmm... Well, we should get going... It was nice seeing you again."
Sandy: "Hehe... Okay."
Fiona gently patted Sandy's head before leaving.
Sandy: "Hm."
Sophie: "Then I'll get going too... Sandy, take care of yourself."
Sandy: "Yeah, you too."
Sophie kissed Sandy on the forehead before leaving.
Sandy: "Hehehe..."
Then her expression suddenly turned serious.
The Joker: "...Hmmmmm... Hehehehe... This could be fun... A lot of fun."
(Meanwhile)
Sophie: "(Yawns)... Hhh... Today we have to find those... sick Saint Louis members."
Fiona: "Yeah... Are Rosika and Siegfried ready?"
Sophie: "Yeah, they're waiting outside the security headquarters... We should head over there. It's not far."
Fiona: "Good."
They made their way there in a carriage.
Sophie: "It was nice seeing Sandy again."
Fiona: "Yeah... That break she's had lately seems to be doing her good."
Sophie: "Hehehe..."
Fiona: "How's Oliver doing?"
Sophie: "Oh... He's still traumatized from the exam. He needs to get used to the fact that it's over."
(Meanwhile)
Oliver: "Ahhh no! I overslept! I have to get to my exam!"
Violet: "Dude, for the hundredth time... THERE IS NO EXAM! You passed!"
Oliver: "Oh... Right..."
Violet: "Seriously..."
Lina: "Hehehe... Poor Oliver."
(Back to Sophie and Fiona)
Sophie: "Where do you think those Saint Louis people could be?"
Fiona: "This morning... I looked through the reports again... and I looked at the photos again."
Sophie: "Seriously?... Were you... okay after doing that?"
Fiona rubbed one of her eyes from exhaustion.
Fiona: "Yeah... But... I had to take breaks every now and then... and think... Well... Um... I noticed something."
Sophie: "What?"
Fiona: "The murder happened in San Marin. That's clear... But... I noticed one thing... The murder... may have happened in San Marin... but the body... wasn't found until days later... in Naranja."
Sophie: "Naranja?"
Fiona: "Yeah... I checked the police records and all the documents... The body... wasn't found in San Marin... it was found in Naranja."
Sophie: "So that means..."
Fiona: "It's possible... though not certain... that they're in Naranja. Why would they leave the body there?"
Sophie: "Hmm... Yeah, that's possible."
Fiona: "Hmm... I think after our meeting with Celia... we should head to Naranja."
Sophie: "Alright."
Fiona: "Then we'll gather everything we need and leave. Naranja is actually quite far away... about three hours."
Sophie: "Oh... Okay."
(A few minutes later)
Siegfried: "Hmm... Oh, there they are!"
Rosika: "Oh... Hey, Fiona... Sophie..."
Sophie: "Hey, you two."
Fiona: "Good. You're already here."
Rosika: "Yeah."
Sophie: "Good. Then let's head inside."
They entered the building.
(A few minutes later)
Celia: "So... you want to go to Naranja?"
Fiona: "Yes."
Sophie: "It seems they're there... because that woman's body... well... part of her body... was found there."
Fiona: "Yeah... Her hand... was taken there. Was Ms. Xavier an important person?"
Celia: "Her... hand?... Hmm... Oh... Selena Xavier... Yes, she was... a very important person... She worked for... the intelligence service... Ugh... You need her hand to identify yourself with one of their devices..."
Fiona: "Hmm!?... Intelligence service!..."
Sophie: "Our theory was right... You really do have a spy among your people."
Celia: "Mmm."
Fiona: "Immediately investigate every servant, maid, butler, soldier, and official who has close access to the royal family."
Celia: "...Alright."
(Weeee... Weeee...)
Every servant, maid, butler, and soldier who worked in or around the castle was gathered for inspection.
Celia: "...Hmm."
Sophie: "Hmm."
Fiona: "These are... all the people who work at the castle?"
Celia: "Mhm."
They walked over to them.
Fiona: "Hmm..."
She carefully looked at them.
Fiona: "Hmm..."
Sophie: "Please turn around."
Rosika: "Please don't resist."
They complied.
Sophie: "Hmm..."
Fiona: "Hmmmm... Let's see... Hey... You there..."
Soldier: "Ugh... Yes?"
Fiona: "What's with your hand? Why is it injured?"
Soldier: "Ugh... There was an accident during training..."
Fiona: "Did any of the murdered guards fight back?"
Celia: "No... It looks like they died immediately."
Fiona: "I see... I need the bullets."
Celia: "Bring them."
The bullets were brought over.
Fiona: "Hmm... Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk I... bullet... I'm certain. I used them during training with Tom Fog."
Sophie: "Wait... You know sniper rifles?"
Fiona: "Of course... As his assistant... he once wanted me to kill someone... our target... Stefan Edrisch."
Sophie: "Oh... So you killed him?... Wow... I knew Tom Fog was involved, but I didn't know you were the one who killed him... That means... you were fifteen when you killed him."
Celia: "Hmm?"
Fiona: "Yeah."
She examined the bullet.
Fiona: "I'm certain... This is it... Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk I... I know this bullet... Though... that's not enough... Siegfried, call Dark Umbrella and have them send me one."
Sophie: "Yes, ma'am!"
Fiona: "These sniper rifles only exist in Dukwood. How did they get one?"
Celia: "Is that everything? Can they leave now?"
Fiona: "No... Wait."
(Two hours later)
Siegfried: "Fiona... It's here."
Several people entered.
Dark Umbrella Member: "Here... please."
Fiona: "Thank you very much."
She took the sniper rifle.
Fiona: "Hmm."
She loaded the bullet.
Fiona: "Yep... That's it... I was right... wasn't I, sweetheart? Take it back to our station."
Dark Umbrella Member: "Hmm... Yes, ma'am."
Fiona: "Thanks for the trouble. So... Miss Celia... Search everyone. Whoever has this kind of ammunition is definitely the killer... or involved somehow."
The search continued.
Celia: "Hmm... Let's see."
Sophie: "Hmm."
Fiona: "(Cough)... Mm."
Rosika: "Hehe..."
Fiona: "What?"
Rosika: "I didn't know you started doing things like this so young."
Fiona: "Yeah... But that was a long time ago..."
Sophie: "Stefan Edrisch... So you were the one who killed him... You really did kill the Underground's spy... I see... What was it like?"
Fiona: "Hmm... I only remember hitting him directly in the eye... He didn't die immediately... He tried to run away... but died shortly afterward... probably because his brain went into shock... But you had a mission like that too."
Sophie: "Yeah, that's true... Only I used a pistol... Simon Woodwood."
Fiona: "You killed him?... Wow, I didn't know that."
Sophie: "Yeah... It was a long time ago... I was fifteen too."
Rosika: "Wow... You two were really something."
Siegfried: "(Sweating)... At fifteen... I didn't even know what a sniper rifle or a pistol was... That's crazy."
The investigation continued.
Celia: "Hmm... Still... nothing."
Fiona: "Hmm... Unders—"
She noticed someone.
Fiona: "Hmm... Open your mouth."
Celia: "What?"
Fiona: "Open... your mouth."
They opened their mouths.
Sophie: "Ugh... This soldier really needs to brush his teeth."
Soldier: "(Sweating)... Mmm."
Fiona: ".Hmm... Nothing... Nothing... Hmm?... You two... Lift your tongues. Now."
Soldier: "What?"
Maid: "Huh!?"
Fiona: "Am I not speaking loudly enough? Lift your tongues. Now."
The soldier obeyed, but the maid didn't.
Fiona: "Hmm... Hahh."
Growing impatient, Fiona grabbed the maid's mouth and lifted her tongue herself.
Fiona: "There... Got you."
Maid: "Mmm."
She pulled out a bullet.
Maid: "Ow..."
Celia: "Ugh..."
Fiona: "There it is."
Celia: "Seize her! She's the culprit!"
Fiona: "No... The soldier next to her."
Soldier: "Ugh."
Celia: "Hmm?"
Fiona: "I saw the two of you just before the weapon delivery. During your break... you kissed, didn't you? I was watching. Let me guess... while you kissed... you passed the bullet from your mouth into hers."
Sophie: "Oh... Clever... but disgusting."
Rosika: "Ighhh..."
Soldier: "Ghhhh..."
Celia: "Is that true, soldier?"
Soldier: "Ghhh..."
He suddenly pulled out a knife and stabbed the maid in the chest.
Maid: "Urk!"
Soldier: "This is all your fault!!"
Fiona: "Ugh."
Sophie: "Stop him!"
They restrained him.
Siegfried: "Ghhhh!"
Soldier: "Let me go!"
Rosika: "Mmmm."
Fiona: "Hahh... Good grief!"
She pulled out a pistol and shot him several times in the foot.
Soldier: "Aaaaaaaaarghhh!"
Celia: "What are you doing!? Did you really have to resort to violence immediately?!"
Fiona: "So it's okay if the maid dies instead?... Hmm?"
Celia: "Ugh."
Fiona: "Hahh..."
Maid: "Urk."
Fiona: "Hmm... Let me see."
She removed the maid's hand from the wound.
Fiona: "You'll probably die if you aren't treated... But answer my question first... You haven't known that man for very long... have you?"
Maid: "No... I... I... met him... and... and he threatened me... He said... he'd kill me... so I... I had no choice... I had to do... what he wanted..."
Fiona: "Hmm..."
Maid: "Ugh... Please... I'm... telling the truth."
Fiona: "Good... Hey... Get her to the hospital."
Celia: "Hahh... Take her out of here."
They carried the maid away.
Celia: "Fiona Philomela Househould... I don't like the way you handle things... You're too direct... too brutal."
Fiona: "Whether you like it or not... the result is what matters. Hmph."
She tossed the pistol aside.
Soldier: "Urkk... Ghhh..."
Celia: "Hmm..."
Fiona: "Well... Are you going to talk?"
Celia: "Hmm?"
Soldier: "No."
Fiona: "I see."
She stomped on his injured foot.
Celia: "Ugh..."
Fiona: "And now?"
Soldier: "Aaaaaaarghhhhhhhhh!"
Fiona: "..."
She pressed down even harder, hard enough for everyone to hear the bones crack.
Soldier: "Urk... No."
Fiona: "I see..."
She looked around.
Soldier: "Ugh... Hahhh..."
Fiona: "...Hmm..."
She noticed a pot.
Fiona: "What's in there?"
Butler: "Ugh... Just boiling water... We never got around to making the food."
Fiona: "Oh... Very good."
She picked it up.
Celia: "What are you planning to do?"
Fiona: "...Hmm."
She poured the boiling water onto his wound.
Soldier: "Aaaaaaaaarghhh!"
Celia: "Ugh!"
Soldier: "Alright! Alright!"
She stopped.
Fiona: "Hmph... Good. Then talk... Or I mean it... I'll pour it over your entire body. So speak already. Are you a member of Saint Louis? Are you the one who murdered those people in cold blood?"
Soldier: "Oh yes... I am... And I'm proud of it."
Celia: "Ugh."
Soldier: "Hehehehe..."
Fiona: "So... You made that video... of Ms. Xavier. You mocked her while brutally torturing and murdering her... And because of you, my colleagues couldn't even sleep at night."
Soldier: "Ohhh... I'm sooo sorry. Hehehe."
Fiona: "Hmm..."
She poured more water.
Soldier: "Aaarghhh!"
Fiona: "Not so much energy for jokes now... is there?"
Soldier: "Gh."
Celia: "Hahhhh..."
Fiona: "...We're taking him with us."
Celia: "Huh?... Yes... If it helps... go ahead."
Fiona: "Good. Alright... Siegfried... Take this bastard with you. We're leaving."
Siegfried: "Uh... Okay."
Rosika: "Wow..."
Sophie: "You can really tell she trained under Tom Fog."
Rosika: "Was he that brutal?"
Sophie: "Well... He used methods like these too... I sometimes forget Fiona used to serve in Dark Umbrella's spy division and military branch. Back then, they didn't want her as a detective... They wanted her for espionage instead... But Tom Fog realized detective work suited Fiona much better."
Rosika: "Hmm."
(A few minutes later)
Saint Louis Member: "Ow... My leg..."
Sophie: "Shut up. After what you did to that woman... you've shown exactly what kind of monster you are."
Fiona: "And now you think you get to complain about pain?... Keep your mouth shut back there... or I'll shut it for you."
Soldier: "Ohhh... You help the nobles... You bastards... You're all worthless trash..."
Fiona: "Hahh."
Siegfried: "Mm!"
He punched him unconscious.
Siegfried: "Shut up... you bastard... You filthy murderer."
Sophie: "Siegfried."
Fiona: "Hey... Good. Finally some peace and quiet."
Rosika: "Hmm... He looks scary."
They continued traveling.
Sophie: "He filmed a woman dying... and he's proud of it... then calls us trash."
Fiona: "Forget it... People like that only understand violence. Talking doesn't work... Even a wall understands more than they do."
Sophie: "Hmm."
Fiona: "You two... Did I scare you? Siegfried... Rosika?"
Siegfried: "Oh... Uh... A little..."
Rosika: "...I was just surprised."
Fiona: "I'm sorry..."
Rosika: "Oh, it's alright... Fiona... Still... I'm sure it was the right thing to do."
Fiona: "Hmm... Rosika."
Rosika: "Yes?"
Fiona: "...Violence is never cool. Remember that. I didn't want to do it... It was necessary... Violence should always be the last resort."
Sophie: "Exactly... Only when it's absolutely necessary."
Rosika: "Yeah... I know."
Siegfried: "Oh... Does that mean I shouldn't have hit him?"
Fiona: "No... That was necessary. The guy was screaming like someone having a fit in the bathroom."
Sophie: "Fiona... That comparison wasn't necessary... but okay."
Siegfried: "Hmm."
(A few minutes later)
(Splash!)
Saint Louis Member: "Ahhh... What's going on?"
Sophie: "Oh, hello."
Fiona: "Sleep well?"
Saint Louis Member: "Ghhh."
Sophie: "Hehe... You seem a little tired..."
Fiona: "Or maybe it's because you're about to bleed out."
Saint Louis Member: "Gh."
Sophie: "Hmm."
Fiona: "Now then... Tell us. Why did you kidnap the princess?"
Sophie: "And when exactly did you start planning it?"