Chapter 14: Abandoned Manor
"How often do you contact Rena? Does she know about your curse on Xio?"
"We usually contact each other once every two or three months, so there's still time until our next meeting... She only cares about results and doesn't know the specifics of what I'm doing," Turner answered, his eyes blank and unseeing.
Hearing this, both Enber and Xio relaxed. Xio figured that, under the circumstances, it would be nearly impossible for the Theosophy Order to track her down. Besides, as a covert organization, they were unlikely to launch an investigation over the disappearance of a mere Sequence 8. Enber, meanwhile, believed that even if they did trace the matter back to him, by then he would have little reason to fear them.
"I have a good rapport with MI9, the Nighthawks, and the Machinery Hivemind. After this, I'll hand this Instigator to them. I imagine a Sequence 8 criminal is worth a fair bounty. You two won't mind if I keep the reward for myself, will you?" Detective Isengard joked in an exaggerated tone. Enber knew the detective's true intention was to protect him and Xio; if the man were turned over to the authorities, the Theosophy Order or the Demoness Sect would have little choice but to lay low, unwilling to openly confront an established Church.
Xio, realizing this as well, quickly expressed her thanks once again.
They questioned Turner about other matters, but as a low-level member of the Order he knew little of significance. With the questioning concluded, Detective Isengard put the Instigator back under sedation and said, "Alright, let's divvy up his possessions, and then we can leave the rest to the authorities." He laid the confiscated items before them: two badges, a three-sided dagger, a star crystal, and roughly 120 gold pounds in cash.
After a quick glance between Enber and Xio, Isengard pocketed the star crystal and the Hermit of Fate badge, smiling as he remarked, "The most valuable thing here is the Sequence 8 himself. Since he's come into my hands, I'll take these two items as well... No objections, I presume?"
Xio quickly shook her head. "Catching this man was your effort alone, Detective. Everything here rightfully belongs to you."
Enber felt the same, though he was curious what his teacher might later pass on to him. The detective then picked up the half-damaged cursed badge and handed it to Enber. "This badge is probably beyond repair, so it's of no value to me. But it should be good for one last use. You're not particularly suited for direct combat at your current level, so take this as a backup." He pushed the pile of 120 pounds toward Enber and added, "This should also cover some expenses for your mystical studies. Consider it an advance from me."
"Thank you, Teacher." Enber accepted without hesitation. Though he still had 350 pounds on hand, he knew that while this amount might be a fortune for ordinary folk, it was barely enough to sustain a Beyonder.
Isengard then turned to Xio, who quickly waved him off. "Please, don't worry about me. You've both already done so much to help—I can't possibly take a share."
The detective laughed and, without further debate, pushed the three-sided dagger toward her. "Miss Xio, let us not stand on ceremony. You forget—it was your insight that helped us predict the Instigator's ambush at the bar. Take it. I inspected it earlier. It's a fairly ordinary weapon, only coated with a difficult-to-detect poison; its monetary value is modest."
Xio had wanted to decline, but realizing further refusal would be ungracious, so she accepted the dagger and made a mental note to repay the kindness later.
Once they had divided the spoils, Isengard used an ability unknown to them to lift the Instigator as if he weighed nothing. "I'll take him to the authorities now," he said. "You two should go home and rest."
Enber was about to agree when he remembered something and hesitated. "Teacher, you might hand him over to MI9, the Nighthawks, or the Machinery Hivemind, but please—I advise against taking him to MI9."
Isengard turned, puzzled. "Why? Is there an issue with MI9?"
Thinking carefully, Enber replied, "Some factions in the military seem involved in human trafficking. I fear they might complicate things for you."
"You're suggesting the military may have a hand in this?" Isengard frowned. "But why would they do such a thing? And how do you know about this, Enber?"
Enber partially deflected with a measured reply. "My mother was once among those trafficked... I've looked into it."
Isengard nodded, the understanding slow but present. Xio glanced at Enber with sympathy, surprised to learn of this part of his past; she had not realized her friend had been affected by such a tragedy.
"Noted... don't worry, Enber. Your teacher knows how to handle things with the authorities," Isengard said. With a practised motion he hoisted Turner and, with surprising agility for an older man, vanished into the dark alleyway.
Xio and Enber waited briefly, then took a different exit from the underground pathway. Public transport was closed for the night, so they walked home. Xio's lodgings were in the Bridge District, and the pair soon parted ways.
As Enber left, Xio turned and almost bumped into a young woman standing eerily close, Fors, in a beige high-neck dress with slightly curled brown hair, was watching Enber and xio in silence.
"Fors! Are you jumping out of doors again? You nearly gave me a heart attack!" Xio let out a breath of relief at seeing her friend.
"One whole day and night without a word—do you know how worried I was? And here you are, out on a date with a man! Tell me everything—who was that?" Fors chided, though the mischievous glint in her eyes betrayed affection. She knew Xio had been handling serious matters but could not resist teasing.
Xio remained serious and shifted the subject. "Fors, that was Enber, a friend. And if he hadn't been there tonight, I don't think I'd have been able return home..."
Fors's playful expression vanished at Xio's heavy tone. "What happened?"
"It's a long story. Let's talk while we walk," Xio sighed, relieved her tactic had worked. She gave Fors a rundown of the last two days, leaving out Detective Isengard's identity and his teacher-student relationship with Enber—only mentioning that Enber had called on a powerful ally to capture the attacker.
"Xio, we're best friends! Next time you have something dangerous to do, tell me. If I'd been with you—well, even if we couldn't have taken that Instigator down, I could've used this," Fors tapped the bracelet on her wrist, "to get us out safely. Once far enough, that cursed badge's influence would have faded."
Fors's worry softened into teasing again. "Still, it sounds like Enber handled things perfectly. Do you think he fancies you?"
Xio shook her head firmly. "I'm sure he doesn't. My instincts as an Arbiter wouldn't mislead me."
"Then why would he go out of his way to help? From what you said, you've only met a couple of times," Fors said, intrigued.
"I don't know... sometimes it feels like he's known me for a long time," Xio said thoughtfully, certain that Enber's actions held no ill intent and choose not to probe further.
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After a night of deep sleep, Enber returned to the East Borough train station to find Xio waiting. "Hope I didn't keep you long," he apologized, feeling a twinge of guilt as he lived closer.
"No worries—let's go. The place is on the north outskirts, a bit of a trip. We'll take the train to the North District and then a carriage," she replied briskly.
About forty minutes later, they stood before a large abandoned manor, its vegetation overgrown and its windows dark—every inch fit for a horror tale. Enber took in the dilapidation and asked, slightly hesitant, "This is the shooting range you mentioned?"
Xio nodded. "There's a practice field in the backyard. I also have a key to the back gate."
"Even if it's falling apart, this is still a manor outside Backlund. Wouldn't it have a caretaker?" Enber asked.
"Originally, this was my family's vacation estate. When my father fell from grace, it was sold to a wealthy merchant. Soon after, the residents began experiencing strange accidents—rumors of hauntings spread, and the place fell into disrepair. Only one caretaker remains, a deaf and mute servant who once worked for my family. My father treated him well, so as long as we avoid entering the house itself, it should be fine." Xio's tone carried the faint pride of one who still trusted old ties.
'Ah—so he wouldn't even notice gunshots, and if he did, he'd likely look the other way for her sake. Not bad' Enber thought; Xio's fallen noble family still afforded useful connections quickly putting the implications together.
Xio noticed his look and registered her own growing suspicion. 'He knows who my father was. He's known me all along. He seems to keep far more secrets than he lets on.' The thought lodged in her mind. 'Could he know the real reason my father was framed?'
(End of Chapter)