The Azure District was somehow even more excessive than the Government District.
Estates with huge gates. Gardens. Fountains.
Who even needs a fountain? Like what does it do?
Treylow Manor stood out even among the huge estates.
It was large. Probably three stories. The architecture was beautiful.
But something.. Was off.
I focused my vision on the details.
The paint was faded. Cracks in the columns that were filled in poorly. The fountain in front wasn't running, the water damage showed it hadn't worked in months.
The windows were clean, but the frames were rotting.
"They're broke." I said quietly.
Melissa looked at the manor. "What?"
"The maintenance is all surface level. They're trying to keep up appearances when they clearly don't have the money."
She studied the building again. "Huh. You're right. I didn't notice."
We approached the door and knocked.
Footsteps approached and the door opened.
A butler stood there. His clothes were immaculate but clearly old-fashioned.
"May I help you?" His voice was cold.
"We're here to see Lord Varian Treylow. I'm Detective Hiroto Takatana, this is Melissa Voss. We're investigating the theft of the Veridian Lens."
The butler's expression didn't change. "Do you have an appointment?"
"No, but–"
"Then I'm afraid Lord Treylow is not receiving visitors."
He started to close the door.
Melissa stepped forward. "Tell him Melissa Thorne. Daughter of Elena Thorne."
The butler paused. His eyes flicked to Melissa.
"One moment."
He closed the door.
"Think that'll work again?"
"Probably. The Thorne family used to be quite close to the Treylows."
A minute passed. Two.
Then the door opened again.
"Lord Treylow will see you. Please, follow me."
Hm, guess it did work. This is quite overpowered! I wish I was a noble..
The interior matched my assessment. Expensive furniture, but faded. Paintings no the walls, but many empty spots where others used to hang.
They've been selling things.
The butler led us through a hallway into a sitting room.
Lord Varian Treylow stood as we entered.
He was tall, maybe fifty years old. Well-dressed. His Stage 6 marking was visible on his wrist—an intricate pattern of interlocking gears.
But something about the marking looked... fresh? Like it hadn't been there long.
Interesting.
Newly ascended?
"Miss Voss, " he said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "What a pleasant surprise. And Detective…" He glanced at my wrist, his smile faltering. "Takatana, was it?"
"That's right."
"Please, sit."
"I assume this is about the unfortunate theft?"
"It is," I said. "You attended the private viewing eight days ago."
"I did. Fascinating piece. Such a shame it was stolen."
"You exhibited interest in purchasing the artifact, may I inquire as to why?"
His smile returned. "Business opportunities, Detective. The lens had applications in authentication, verifications, and legal proceedings.:
"And the bloodline tracking feature?"
His smile froze.
I saw it for a split second.
"I'm sorry, what feature?"
"The Lens can track family lineages. Identify blood relations going back generations."
"I... wasn't aware of that capability."
My eyes picked up the increased beating in his heart, the way his breathing flared, the pause in his words.
Liar.
"Really? Because according to the authentication report, that feature was specifically mentioned during the viewing."
Varian's jaw tightened. "I may have heard something about it. But it wasn't my primary interest. I guess I must've not taken it to mind."
Lady Cordelia entered the room at that moment.
She was younger than her husband. Late thirties. She was beautiful, like a flower on a distant, snowy hill. She looked at us like we were.. Stains.
Ouch. If looks could kill.
"Varian, who are these… people?"
"Investigators, dear. About the Lens."
She sat down without being invited. "I thought we were done with this nonsense."
"We're investigating the theft," Melissa said. "You were present as well."
"Briefly, it was dreadfully boring."
Consistent with Vera's account.
"Before you left," I said, "did you notice anything unusually? Anyone acting suspiciously?"
"Everyone there was suspicious, Detective. Councilman Thorne was lurking like a vulture. That Magistrate woman kept checking her watch. The authenticator was pestering us constantly."
I leaned forward. "What kind of questions was she asking?"
Lady Cordelia waved her hand. "Tedious things. 'What do you plan on using it for?' 'Do you understand the ethical implications?' As if that's her business. Authenticators only verify the artifacts."
Vera was asking about intentions. Why?
"How many times did Vera Blackwood visit you before the viewing?" I asked.
Varian's eyebrow raised. "Excuse me?"
"Lady Cordelia mentioned the authenticator was asking questions. I'm wondering if she visited you beforehand. To discuss the purchase."
Cordelia answered before her husband could. "Twice. She came to our estate twice before the viewing. Said she needed to 'understand buyer intentions for insurance purposes.' Ridiculous. Since when do authenticators make house calls?"
Two visits. Before the viewing.
Why would Vera need to vet the buyers so thoroughly?
"And after the viewing?" I asked. "Did Vera contact you again?"
"No," Varian said. "Once the Lens was stolen, there was no point."
I studied him. His posture. His micro-expressions.
He's hiding something.
"Lord Treylow, can I ask about your financial situation?"
His face went cold. "I beg your pardon?"
"You wanted to purchase the Lens. An artifact valued at hundreds of thousands of Gold Argentum. I'm wondering if you had the resources."
"That's extremely inappropriate—"
"It's a simple question."
Cordelia stood up abruptly. "We don't have to answer these questions. Varian, tell them to leave."
But Varian was staring at me. Calculating.
"You think I stole it," he said slowly.
"I think you wanted it. Badly. And I'm trying to understand why."
"For business. I already told you."
"A failing business."
His jaw clenched. "My financial affairs are none of your concern."
"They are if they're motive for theft."
We stared at each other.
Melissa shifted beside me. Ready to move if this went bad.
Finally, Varian spoke. "I didn't steal the Lens, Detective. Yes, my finances have been... challenging. But I would never resort to theft."
"Then you won't mind if I verify that? I can check your financial records through official channels—"
"Get out."
"Lord Treylow—"
"I said get out. This interview is over."
I stood slowly. "Thank you for your time."
Melissa stood as well.
We headed for the door. The butler appeared from nowhere to escort us.
As we walked down the hallway, I glanced at a side table.
A business card sat there. Blackwood Authentication & Appraisal.
Why would they still have Vera's card if the deal fell through?
The butler opened the front door. "Good day."
We stepped outside. The door closed behind us firmly.
"Well," Melissa said. "That was productive."
"More than you think."
"How so?"
"Treylow is desperate. He's hiding his financial troubles. And Vera visited them twice before the viewing, which is unusual for an authenticator."
"You think he hired someone to steal it?"
"Maybe. But if he did, why hasn't he tried to buy it from whoever took it?"
We started walking back toward the main road.
"Also," I continued, "did you notice his Stage marking?"
"The gears? What about it?"
"It looked fresh. Like he advanced recently. Artificially."
"Artificially?"
"You can force a Stage advancement through external means. Essence infusions. Stygian Core manipulation. But it's expensive and dangerous."
"So he's spending money he doesn't have to get stronger?"
"Exactly."
We walked in silence for a moment.
Then I heard footsteps behind us.
Multiple sets.
I glanced back.
Two guards in Treylow colors. Stage 4, both of them. Following us.
"Melissa."
"I see them."
The guards were getting closer. Not rushing. Just... following.
"They're making sure we leave," I said.
"Or they're planning something."
We turned a corner. The guards followed.
"Okay, that's not just an escort," Melissa muttered.
"Run?"
"Run."
We broke into a sprint.
Behind us, shouts. The guards gave chase.
Shit shit shit—
We ran through the Noble District streets. Too open. Too exposed.
I spotted an alley between two estates. "There!"
We ducked into it.
The alley was narrow. Barely wide enough for one person. Trash bins lined the walls.
We ran.
Behind us, the guards entered the alley.
"Dead end!" Melissa shouted.
She was right.
Trash bins. A broken ladder on the side of one building. A drainage pipe.
"There!" I pointed at the pipe. "We can climb."
"That thing looks like it'll collapse if I breathe on it."
"You have a better idea?"
The guards were twenty meters away. Fifteen.
Melissa cursed and started climbing. The pipe groaned but held.
I followed. My arms screamed in protest. Stage 1 strength was not designed for this.
Ten meters.
The guards reached the base of the pipe.
"Get down here!" one of them shouted.
Melissa reached the roof. Pulled herself up.
I was halfway when the pipe shifted.
Oh no—
It tore free from the wall.
I fell.
For a split second, I thought I was dead.
Then Melissa's hand caught my wrist.
Together, we hauled me up.
We ran across the roof. Jumped to the next building. Then the next.
Three rooftops later, we dropped down into a different alley.
No guards in sight.
We stood there, gasping for breath.
"What..." I wheezed. "The hell... was that?"
"Treylow doesn't want us investigating."
"No shit."
We caught our breath. Then carefully made our way out of the Noble District.