36 – In the Whispers
The Hotel. Avansiel.
Early morning—normally, the air is cold and quiet, only, things were different today.
“Hey, did you hear it?”
“That’s why I told you. You shouldn’t trust these commoners…”
“…It’s impossible. There is no way it is true.”
Voices spoke of the rumors.
The arrest of Yukito. The charge was murder.
Overnight, he had spread through the Viskinel students at the hotel.
But no one knew the truth of the matter. Even the other teachers would not confirm anything.
However, the day’s trips were canceled. The students were ordered to stay inside of the hotel. This would at least prevent talk from spreading.
“Iria.”
She stopped in the hallway and turned around.
A girl’s head popped out from behind a door.
“President.”
“Do you have a minute?”
Sherry Relei dragged Iria in without waiting for an answer.
Several other familiar figures were in the room.
It was the students who had participated in the tournament.
“Sorry, Iria. But there’s something I had to confirm.”
“…About teacher Yukito?”
Sherry nodded.
The serious expressions of the others made it obvious.
“Judging by your face, I suppose it is all true then.”
Said Rev Olqule.
He was usually in opposition when it came to Yukito, but he looked worried now.
And he was not the only one. Sherry, Aize and the others were as well.
“It’s a little different.”
Iria shook her head.
“He wasn’t arrested. Just questioned. The police haven’t concluded that he is the culprit.”
“But he is still under suspicion?”
Asked Rev. Iria nodded.
“I don’t know the details. They would not tell me that much…”
“Then… Let’s go!”
Said a short girl who got up to her feet. It was Fae Ysia. The others looked puzzled.
“We have to tell them that teacher is innocent!”
“Are you stupid…”
Millie said with exasperation.
“Because… Isn’t it strange?”
“What?”
“He was caught…taken away by the police. It happened at the place that he went to.”
They all knew where it was.
“In other words, at the Prime Minister’s mansion.”
“…Besides, though it is a rumor…the charge is murder.”
Everyone’s eye went to Iria. She nodded.
“Yes. I think someone must have died. It must be.”
“Indeed. And yet there has been nothing about it on the news. The festival continues as if normal. But teacher has not returned yet. It is strange.”
It was.
Something was not right. An eerie, ominous feeling.
“We need more information… Iria. What did your father say?”
“…That I must not leave the district until things settle down.”
Well, that was a normal enough statement as a parent.
After all, if Yukito was not the killer, then the killer was still out there.
However…
He was not just a parent. He was Seto Orlando. A count and nobleman of the empire.
They all felt that there was more to it.
“…I agree with Ysia.”
“Leo.”
“To be honest, I don’t know. He is not the culprit. And I doubt anything bad will happen to him. But… I still have this feeling that I will regret it if I don’t try to do something.”
No one could argue such feelings. They then looked up to Iria.
And after some thought, she said,
“Let’s go.”
And everyone got up to their feet.
(Sorry, father.)
Iria closed her eyes.
Now that she thought about it, she had never disobeyed a direct order from him like this before.
But even so…
She would go.
As she was about to leave the room, a quiet, electronic sound rang.
It was coming from her portable communications device.
Her heart beat quickly.
However, when she pulled the phone out of her pocket, the name that was displayed was not the one she had expected to see.