IWLMS 51🔐

Chapter 51

“Over the past twelve years, I mapped the last known whereabouts and residences of the missing persons.”

“Wha—? All of that?”

She pointed to a section where the scattered red dots were unusually concentrated as she explained.

“Once I sorted the documents, this way seemed easier to grasp at a glance. As expected, all these cases are centered around the outskirts here…”

Just as Rune was explaining, tracing with her finger, the map suddenly floated into the air.

Her eyes widened, and she looked up. Kylian, who had taken the map, walked to the desk, crossed his arms, and leaned against it.

“Stop here.”

“But this is clearly significant data. The fact that it occurred in a specific area over such a long time isn’t just a coincidence…”

“I know. Good work.”

Kylian spoke firmly and folded the map back into the drawer.

“You were probably told to focus on your duties as a cadet. Considering how competent my aide seems, I think your position might be in jeopardy. Finish up and step out.”

Was he really serious? Ethan gawked, unable to respond, staring at the impending loss of his position. There had been many times he wanted to abandon work and run away, but he had never wanted to give up his post entirely.

“Ethan, contact Catuier and tell them we’ll be there soon.”

“Wha—?”

Ethan’s eyes went wide as he watched Kylian pass him and leave the office.

Catuier was a high-end restaurant where even nobles needed a reservation. Of course, exceptions existed for someone of Kylian’s near-royal status.

“No… why a restaurant at this late hour, of all places?”

Ethan hurried after Kylian, speaking anxiously.

“When we left the palace, didn’t you say you’d finish the remaining work? And dinner was earlier…”

“Seems you’re not too concerned about that precarious position of yours.”

“Ah.”

Kylian’s cold remark snapped Ethan to attention. He awkwardly laughed and nudged Rune’s back.

“C-Contact them! We have to contact them! Look at me—my lord seems very hungry and sensitive. Ha, ha, ha! Right—let’s go, come on.”

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The restaurant they arrived at by carriage was located in the city center.

The manager, waiting at the entrance, led them to the top floor. The place was nearly empty except for the window-side tables, probably because all other guests had already left.

As soon as they were seated, servers appeared from nowhere, quietly set up the prepared food, and disappeared.

The lights around the table created a quiet, luxurious atmosphere.

‘Come to think of it, is this the first time the two of us are having a meal together? Awkward…’

When offered to dine together, Ethan had excused himself, claiming he wasn’t feeling well. As a result, Rune ended up dining alone with Kylian, unintentionally.

Rune cut her steak into small pieces, chewing thoughtfully, and glanced at Kylian across from her.

“Lord, aren’t you eating?”

“This is enough. Don’t worry about me. Just eat.”

Not worrying wasn’t really an option. Even if the restaurant were handed over to him, he wouldn’t be satisfied—he was only sipping wine.

Moreover, with only the two of them present, the restaurant was unnervingly silent.

Trying not to make noise, Rune eventually set down her fork and knife.

It really… felt like they were here just because of him.

Beyond the window, the dark streets sparkled with lights.

“They say the royal festival was moved earlier than usual this year. Seems the preparations are already keeping people busy.”

“It’s best to forget unpleasant things quickly.”

Rune nodded silently. Probably, the appearance of the ghouls had prompted them to restore order and morale.

Kylian’s expression as he sipped wine remained displeased, which was understandable. Since it was a sensitive matter under discreet investigation, tension was inevitable.

‘And given the scale of these disappearances, the repercussions would be huge if it became public.’

Stepping in without permission had certainly crossed the line, but now that he knew, he needed to follow it through.

“About the disappearances earlier…”

“That topic again.”

Kylian frowned and set down his wine glass. Of course, mentioning the case made him uncomfortable.

Rune exhaled softly and raised her hands, continuing:

“I won’t intervene any further. I just wanted your opinion.”

“…Fine.”

Kylian tilted his chin crookedly. Though still displeased, he seemed willing to listen this time.

“These incidents, though scattered over time and appearing unrelated, are actually a connected series, as I mentioned.”

“Evidence?”

“There are two main common points.”

Rune held out one hand and folded one finger.

“First, most of the missing are women—either unidentified wanderers or those without ties.”

Then she folded a second finger.

“Second, their last known locations and residences are concentrated in one area, near the outskirts where slums have formed.”

“…You’ve understood this well.”

Kylian murmured, raising an eyebrow.

Missing women from the slums—this was data Lawrence had anticipated when commissioning the investigation.

He hadn’t expected Rune to pick up on it so quickly, and through her, of all people.

It exceeded his expectations, but he didn’t intend to involve her more deeply. This wasn’t the purpose of bringing her to the academy.

Especially now that she was to stay by his side.

“Have you heard enough? Finished eating?”

Kylian reached for the bell to call a server.

“That day, I saw women being taken to the temple.”

As she spoke quietly, he pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. Her blue eyes met his, intense and piercing. Kylian liked that gaze, but from experience, it wasn’t a good sign right now.

“They were soldiers of the Liechtenstein Marquis. This might be related to these incidents.”

Frowning, Kylian tugged at his collar and let out a dry laugh.

“Seems I underestimated my esquire.”

Aside from gemstone collection, the marquis assisting with temple matters was already known to the royal family.

“But so far, it’s only circumstantial evidence. We need proof to confirm it.”

The temple had long taken in women without homes, and the marquis’s involvement alone wasn’t enough to justify an investigation.

“If the missing went to the temple, there should be records, right?”

“To access records, we need the envoy’s permission,” Kylian replied, swirling his wine glass.

“A law of secrecy and silence. The temple had an agreement with the royal family to protect their identities.”

“So, no one knows what happened to them?”

“There are rumors they were given new identities and relocated far away. Only the temple and those involved would know if that’s true.”

It was incomprehensible. What could these women have done that required them to erase themselves from the world?

Recalling a brief conversation with Isis, Rune spoke again:

“That day, the priest mentioned Cloud’s prophecy…”

“That’s enough,” Kylian interrupted, setting down his empty glass.

“I think I’ve answered enough. You yourself said you wouldn’t intervene further.”

The dish before her was barely touched. Kylian frowned.

Ringing the bell briefly, a male staff member approached from the dimly lit hall. Kylian had him clear away the cold food and bring dessert.

“You doubt me that much?”

Rune, silent until now, said bluntly. Kylian chuckled, amused.

“Like with Ethan, you’d only be thankful if I gave you work.”

“If you entrust it to me, I’ll gladly take it,” she said.

Kylian tilted his head, smiling as if witnessing a child’s charming insistence.

“Forget the headaches and enjoy the privileges of being a student. The festival will be here soon.”

Rune bristled at his tone, which seemed to treat her like a child. Though she knew he often did, sometimes it felt excessive—after all, they were only three years apart.

“…I doubt you really enjoyed festivals as a student either.”

Pouting, Kylian crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow crookedly.

“I didn’t, so I say this. During festivals, the academy opens up, and you can send invitations to anyone you want via Chic.”

An invitation… Rune tried to push away the fleeting image of her father that came to mind.

The staff returned with dessert—a crystal glass filled with neatly served sherbet.

“Try it, it should suit your taste.”

Rune scooped the herb-topped sherbet with a small spoon and tasted it. The flavor reminded her of what Kylian had taught her.

“Peach sherbet,” she said, the sweet, refreshing taste softening her expression.

Kylian, watching her clear smile, touched the corner of his eye and spoke:

“…If my words hurt you, I apologize. I didn’t mean it the way you might think.”