(8 days later)
(Click)
In Eger Grün, a beautiful plain in the Slavic Kingdom filled with nature and impressive buildings.
(Click)
Olivier William: "Miss Valeria, wait for me."
Sophie: "Hahhhh…"
This is Oliver William, a detective from the Dark Umbrella, just like Sophie Valeria. She is his mentor, the one who looks after him.
Oliver: "Why exactly are we here?"
Sophie: "Well… we received important information that many mysteries are located in Eger Grün. There are several places where the Cursed are welcome. And the organization fears that the so called House of the Damned Children might operate here and recruit some of the Cursed into their ranks. That is why we are meeting an informant from the Slavic Kingdom."
Oliver: "And why do we have to deal with this? The group of Lady Mystery is also in the Slavic Kingdom."
Sophie: "Yes… but in Prussia. Oliver… besides, you overestimate that woman. I can solve cases as well."
Oliver: "Is it possible that you do not like her?"
Sophie: "No."
Oliver: "But you two have known each other since you were in the same class. They said you were in the same class for five years."
Sophie: "Yes… but Oliver… Fiona may be good, but she is not exactly sensitive toward others. Probably because of the training she had. No question about that. But still… I have worked longer than she has. And in terms of reputation, I stand above her."
In the Dark Umbrella there is something like a ranking system. There are detectives, agents, and then the regular members. There are also scientists, of course. Everyone is important. Because Fiona often solved cases in ways that were not exactly approved, she is not very popular among the detectives. That includes Sophie Valeria, who cannot stand Fiona. As for Fiona, it is true that she argued with Sophie many times. Sophie also used to mock her because of her staff and white hair.
Oliver: "But Miss Valeria… you said you were the one who started making fun of her hair and her staff."
Sophie: "Maybe… but we were children back then."
Oliver: "Did you ever apologize?"
Sophie: "No. Why should I? Did she apologize for spilling water on my project and causing me to fail?"
Oliver: "Oh…"
Sophie: "That was not even on purpose… she tripped because one of the children stuck a leg out at her. But I still use it as an excuse so I do not feel forced to apologize to Fiona."
Oliver: "Hmm."
Sophie: "Anyway, Oliver… we are working now. I doubt Fiona can help us. As I said, her team is currently in Prussia, that is why we came here."
Oliver: "Okay."
Oliver has brown hair and orange eyes. His ability allows him to summon monster beings, like Nemesis, or other kinds of monsters such as ghosts or skeletons.
Sophie: "Get ready. He should arrive soon. We are a bit early."
Oliver: "Hmm."
Sophie: "Hmm."
Sophie has medium length black hair like a crow, brown eyes, wears a shoulder free suit and a detective hat. She is also Cursed. She is known as Lady Clock.
Sophie: "Hmm… there he is. Mr Novakova."
Mr Novakova: "Oh… hello. Am I late?"
Sophie: "No. You are one minute early. We were twenty minutes early."
Mr Novakova: "Oh… then you waited for me. I apologize."
Sophie: "No need. Tell me, Mr Novakova, is it true that the Cursed are treated better in Eger Grün than in most other places?"
Mr Novakova: "Yes… that is true. We are open minded… and we have nothing against them… as long as they wear the bandages."
Sophie: "Wait… what bandages?"
Mr Novakova: "The bandage devices. They look like bandages but have a small light in the middle. So people know they are Cursed. You need them as well. I brought some for you."
Sophie: "Hold on. Otherwise they are not allowed to do anything?"
Mr Novakova: "The Cursed may live here, yes. But they cannot hold official positions. They cannot attend normal schools, only schools for the Cursed. They cannot marry non Cursed people because it would be dangerous. They may have children, but only if those children also receive the bandages. The bandages used to deliver an electric shock if someone activated their ability."
Sophie: "That is not freedom…"
Mr Novakova: "Do not worry. They changed them. They no longer give electric shocks. They simply light up multiple times as a warning. That is all."
Sophie: "Hmm."
Mr Novakova: "I know it does not sound good… but Cursed are Cursed, my lady. They cannot just stand here without being monitored."
Sophie: "Are you aware that the Dark Umbrella has read several disturbing reports about such cases? Many Cursed cannot find jobs because of exclusion. From the year 1390 until now, 1462, around two thousand Cursed in Eger Brünn alone have taken their own lives. What protection are you speaking of? What is the point of freedom if everyone must wear these bandages so others know to avoid them according to your logic? The Dark Umbrella is a recognized organization that could ensure you and this city pay more than 3000 million coins in compensation for the injured families. Thank you for telling me. I now have enough material against your so called open city."
Mr Novakova: "Wait… you did not come because of that."
Sophie: "Correct. We are here to investigate a specific place. The Skova School, where the Cursed reside."
Mr Novakova: "It is not just a school. It is a residential area for the Cursed. They can live and work there. And there they do not have to wear bandages."
Sophie: "I see. But that change is recent, is it not? The last time I heard of it in 1458, it was still only a school."
Mr Novakova: "Yes… it was changed into a residential district. About four months ago the rule was passed that they can live without bandages and even open shops like supermarkets and an opera house. Is that not wonderful?"
Sophie: "It would be kind of you to bring us there."
Oliver: "Hmm."
Mr Novakova: "Of course. But please wear the bandages on your hands."
They were pitch black with a small light in the middle. It was not active, but it could glow. They put them on.
Mr Novakova: "And?"
Sophie: "Are they not a bit tight? One cannot move the hand freely."
Mr Novakova: "Are you right handed or left handed?"
Sophie: "Right handed. Oliver is ambidextrous."
Mr Novakova: "I am sorry. Those are the rules."
Sophie: "Hmm."
Oliver: "It is okay, Sophie. We can continue."
Mr Novakova: "Hmm."
Sophie: "Very well. Please take us to the Skova district."
Mr Novakova: "Of course."
They followed him.
Mr Novakova muttered under his breath that the Cursed should be grateful for the new queen's mercy.
Sophie noticed the anxious and annoyed looks of the people around them. She herself was not Cursed but a Stellaron mage. Oliver seemed uncomfortable.
Oliver trembled and clung to her hand. She pulled it away.
Sophie: "Control yourself."
Oliver: "Oh… sorry."
Sophie paused.
Sophie: "You can hold my hand… but ask next time."
Oliver: "No… it is fine."
She realized she had been too harsh.
Mr Novakova: "Here we are."
It was a large area with several houses, some unfinished, a market nearby, an opera, and an art building.
Mr Novakova explained the rent prices. Five thousand Eager coins per month for a proper apartment. One Eager coin equals two euros. Very expensive.
Cheaper rooms cost two thousand Eager coins each in an older building.
He handed Sophie a key and left.
Oliver: "Hmm."
Sophie: "There is a group called the Moths. They might be dangerous. Be careful, Oliver."
Oliver: "Mhm."
The Moths are a group of Cursed and Stellaron fighting for equal rights. Unlike the House of the Damned Children, they are less violent and mainly target officials. But recently they have grown more brutal.
Some days earlier, Fiona had warned Meliodas that Zantanel's group, the House of the Damned Children, had allied with Rapunzel's library. Rapunzel, the strongest guardian in theory, had been imprisoned by Rudeus because he feared her power.
Back in the present, Sophie and Oliver entered the shabby building. A window fell out of the wall.
Oliver: "I have to sleep here?"
Sophie: "I sleep downstairs. You take the upper bed. Do not fall."
Later that night, Sophie lay awake, thinking of her past. Her father had locked her in the basement, abused her, and killed her mother when she tried to leave. Her mother shot him with her last strength before dying. Both parents lay dead before young Sophie.
The Dark Umbrella took her in.
She remembered Fiona from their class at Howgarts. Both survived experiments. Fiona feared electric sounds. Sophie feared blood.
Sophie had tried to take her own life eight times. She possesses a curse that allows her to return in time upon death. The wounds remain.
She fell asleep.
The door opened.
Gunshots.
Sophie fell dead.
Tick tick.
She woke up again at 4 a.m.
She had returned.
She woke Oliver.
They hid behind the door.
Moments later, Mr Novakova entered with a pistol. Sophie struck him.
Sophie: "Mr Novakova!"
He confessed someone had ordered him but refused to name them.
A moth like creature suddenly appeared and tore his face apart.
Oliver summoned a corrupted wolf named Sebastian.
Together they fought the Moth Fairy. It was strong, but Sophie shot it repeatedly and Sebastian tore it apart.
The corpse disappeared.
Meanwhile, Ulita sensed her moth had been destroyed.
Hahn am Heim explained that her paintings could become monsters through a pen from the Abyss, a pen of Oz. The creatures last one or two hours.
They wanted to use her power to create a Grimmhoth only for the Cursed and Stellaron.
Ulita hesitated but was manipulated. She asked if the official had children. He had a wife. She realized she had made a woman a widow.
Hahn promised to find her a husband if she continued to help.
Finally, he asked her to kill her own siblings who had abandoned her.
Ulita quietly agreed.
Dong… Dong… Dong… Dong.