crime au prototype 3h

{01/ a lady with suffused flames}


[ I. ]

Garreg Metropolis, as always, is a city where one never sleeps. With the light storm brewing on the horizon, the streets are not idle.

The jet-black sedan traversed through alleys of grey, finding a better road to seek the heart of the commotion in-between the long traffic jam in the drumming rainfall. The dull cityscape wasn’t exactly something her boss finds it amusing, although she has not been frequenting the road in the last two years ago.

Her trading activities overseas with Brigid left her almost dry – occupied with the outside world instead of the hubbub of chaos that is forever brewing in the darkness depths of Fodlan. She knew better that her lady is choosing her trades with a plan in mind, but then knowing how the network in the Garreg Metropolis has grown far restless than how she liked, she decided to inform her boss two days ago despite her second-in-command told her that it wasn’t the right time to do.

“Really, that Hubert. He always hides the crucial things when it is dire.”

Her boss sighed to the window, creating a dense smudge against the rain. Crossing one of her legs up, her stiletto clicked to the edge of seat. Her choice of outer leather coat is dry blood red, not exactly the dress code that the annual weapon convention of Fodlan hoped.

Red always made Edelgard von Hresvelg noticeable, and she never cease to hide from the spotlight. This stage is her comeback to Fodlan, so to speak.

“Maybe he doesn’t want your hands to be dirty?”

Lysithea voiced her reason after finding the hanging silence in the car unbearable. Her fingers are tapping on the wheel as she timed out the next intersection, hoping she passed the 0205 lane before the road will be closed off for one-way path because the traffic jam.

“But nothing will be done; at least I won’t know how it will be done.” Edelgard hissed under her breath.

“That’s why you didn’t let him go with you today?”

Her garnet eyes sneaked a glance to the viewfinder. Edelgard remained neutral, light from cityscape outside reflected on her skin. She propped her arm to the window ledge; gloved hand became her faithful chin rest.

“Not really,” her boss shrugged. Lysithea couldn’t help but to stretch her smile, she can basically picture Hubert’s annoyed face after Edelgard drafted him to go with Dorothea for a recon mission.

“He is skilled in recon better than doing shadow bodyguard—I don’t need new faces to be scared off by his presence.”

“But you didn’t tell me to dress as any bodyguard do.”

Lysithea took a once-over to her one-piece black dress. The bottom part of the outfit bathed in white glittering sprinkles. She replied Edelgard’s chuckle with a grin, knowing that her sarcastic remark was understood.

“Looks can be deceiving – also who knows how many knives that you have secured behind—“

“That’s top secret, boss.”

Edelgard’s laughter never have stayed for so long. A brief respite. Then silence conquered the car once again, pitter-patter clinking from outside is louder than ever. They were close to their destination, so Lysithea told Edelgard that and kept her eyes on the road instead sneaking more glances.

Upon seeing the car, the said security guard of the Golden Deer hall pointed the VIP parking lot just on his right. Lysithea would never create any fuss when parking, straight to the rightful lane in single reverse. Then, as the protocol that she always recites sounded, Lysithea got off from the car, made sure the coast is clear before she opened the door for her boss. The white-haired bodyguard would make a move to help Edelgard with her coat and her walking cane, and she would stay behind her boss as Edelgard walked first.

The Golden Deer Hall that is used for annual weapon convention was quite empty. Perhaps the one invited for the very first day of a week showcase of Fodlan’s finest weaponry is the top of the top in the business. Lysithea haven’t seen the RSVP yet, but she suspected that Edelgard’s cousin, the so-called ‘King of Underworld Fodlan’ mafia would be there. Also, Edelgard’s business competitor, a fellow arms dealer, should be present. The rest might not be so relevant.

“Lysithea,” she tapped her cane once. On cue, Lysithea matched Edelgard walking rhythm, waiting for her order. “After I talked to Dimitri, you better scout the area again.”

“Why so? How about the guard duty?”

“I will be fine; it should be the main presentation hours soon. No one would dare to attack anyone there.”

Her eyes flickered for a bit, something hidden in there, she caught something but didn’t bother to share it directly with Lysithea for safety manners.

It’s her job to prove that her boss’ woes is right or wrong, after all.

“If you say so, boss.”

With that, Lysithea fall back to her pace again. They passed a big, gold-coated decoration of deer head, which marked the center of reception area. Edelgard assessed her ID on the table, taking in the fingerprint and retina scans before getting in her guest pass. As for bodyguard, the fingerprint and retina scans would be the same, but with an extra of body check.

No sharp weapons nor firearms are allowed inside – but that being said, there’s always a trick or two to keep yourself armed.

Before they reached the main hall, two men greeted them, just like Edelgard had expected beforehand. His timing was immediate, as if he had expected Edelgard to come sooner or later.

Though, the brown-haired man beside Dimitri was unfamiliar. He hung out with Dimitri as though Dimitri is a normal colleague, not the leader of whole mafia operation across the country.

Lysithea studied how the brown-haired man dressed in open black shirt and casual slacks coupled with white pointed shoes. His appearance made Lysithea think of a club’s host, who’ll mooch customers for sales. It wasn’t so rare in weapon convention to hire someone who can mooch customers off – they sell goods better than any experienced men dressed in nines. His mannerism wasn’t as off as his clothes to dress code, however, he let Dimitri greeted Edelgard first, instead himself sauntered off like any kind of host Lysithea had in mind. If so, Lysithea won’t hesitate for him to taste her hidden blade.

“It has been two years, El.”

Dimitri, the tall young man with slicked back blonde hair offered Edelgard a handshake. Edelgard kept her collected mask with each and every business meeting. Even as Dimitri smiled in eagerness, Edelgard stayed cold. Lysithea took her distance, scanning on the crowd of the area before back to listen on the conversation.

“I trust you’re well, Dimitri,” her smile didn’t reach her eyes. She tapped on her cane once, “And, pray tell, who’s this acquaintance of yours? You rarely spot an eye for a friend.”

“You wound me,” Dimitri scoffed, but he took no stock in the sarcasm. “This is the owner of the place, Claude von Riegan.”

“Ah, a new face I see.” Edelgard directed her attention to Claude. “My name is Edelgard von Hresvelg, in case you never heard of me in my two years of absence.”

“Nice joke there, Lady Edelgard. How can Fodlan forget such a name?” Claude laughed. “I’m the new owner of Golden Deer Hall and a weapon appraiser, you can have my name card too.”

Lysithea tuned them out as they exchanged bits and pieces about business, though keeping her attention to the three. All the perimeters are guarded lightly, armed security guards are doing checks often, and guided people in case they were lost - nothing is out of ordinary. The hall only held twenty companies at most, with the big three by the south showcased their enormous satellite prototype for communication.

Twenty is small number in comparison to last year’s attendants when she went with Hubert and Caspar as the representative of Adrestia Logistic Trade Company. As Edelgard said, Claude is a new face for the year, but he seemed active to Dimitri and now to Edelgard as he speaks.

“… I heard the rumor of Legendary Fodlan Weaponry is going on again.”

Claude chimed. Lysithea blinked at the mention, she didn’t need to take a glance to Edelgard to seek whether the mention affected her or not. Even Dimitri went a shade paler, before he reverted back to an easy smile.

Surely, the new guy didn’t know how the weapons signified a darker side of Fodlan that one never dare to delve deep.

“Was that really true?”

“I do think magical weapon during these days but an empty nonsense,” the white-haired leader voiced her opinion. “The news might take the market with a storm, but I’ve heard those so-called ‘weapons’ are similar to antiques and have no practical needs in modern combat.”

“I have to agree with Edelgard.” Dimitri joined. “Once the black market ever buzzed about an auction about one of the seven weapons, but as my team investigated it, it was all a scam.”

Claude hummed, “That’s too bad, but I understand how those are too good to be true. It does sound almost like a fairy tale.”

Lysithea rolled her eyes, it would be better if it is all a fairy tale, though.

By the time conversation sharpened to weaponry-related deals, the entrance door opened for another contender to come in. Speak of the devil, Lysithea hissed between her teeth to see a beautiful, yet dangerous lady trudging in, head held high.

The only competitor in local and international-wise to Adrestia Logistic Trade Co. which is able to go head-to-head even in the stock market and almost everything Lysithea could dare to mention was present. Seiros Co. Ltd. also have their advantages in sea-based transport, mirroring to Adrestia’s sky-faring. Their leader never surfaced in any meeting, but the trader and spokesperson, Rhea, would always be there for every affairs.

Rhea paused to spare a small smile and nod to Dimitri,then eventually stopped to see Edelgard.

“It has been a while isn’t it, child.”

Lysithea couldn’t help but to take a step back. She never really liked to see Rhea and Edelgard conversed. Their animosity to each other was unsettling to her gut. Their history ran deep, deeper than perhaps Edelgard to Dimitri as a distant relative. It is not only business-related, but also pertaining how the last president of Adrestia Logistic Trade was in close contact with Seiros.

And then, there was-

“It’s an honor to be in Fodlan again, Madame.” Edelgard regarded her with a flat tone, despite her polite bow. Rhea’s response is to shake her head.

“Seeing you here right now, you must haven’t forgotten about that incident,” Rhea said. “You do know when to back down. Everything is under control now. There are also foolish people who run for the Treasure, but I do understand that it is not your aim to begin with.”

Edelgard didn’t bite back to her comment, nor signaling any kind of approval or rejection to the remark. Rhea turned back with a sigh, then walked away to the presentation area without batting another eye.

That incident. The ‘fairy tale’ that happened two years ago.

“Surely a woman can drop all the heavy bricks upon a chance of reunion, huh.” Claude tried hard to not hit the sore spot, it seemed. “Well then, how about we move to the presentation area, too? The main attraction should begin soon.”

“That’s a great idea, Claude. Please, lead the way.”

Edelgard held a parting glance to Lysithea as she followed the two. Her own mission is commencing - she didn’t need to go down the nostalgia lane right now.


--

[ II. ]

About the fairy tale and so-called Legendary Weapon, all of them are true. It is sensationalized as urban legend, but the mafia, the darkest part of the country, and the one who experienced the drawbacks of power, acknowledged everything as it is on the back of their hand.

In the era of advancement of science and evolution of robotics and Esper powers, a force called ‘magic’ might be a tell-tale of old. Seven magic weapons that could devastate the world, or so the history books might quote. Other information that passed from noble families to their successor unearthed that the weapons are now decimated as fragments. If the fragments somehow made its way to be implanted on the right ‘vessel’, the weapon will evolve on its own.

Such powerful force needed to be put to rest before something bad happened. But then, an incident had happened two years ago was caused by such feat.

All the while the authorities and higher-ups tried to close the lid of the discovery and the calamity, the similar rumor about the weapon reappearance made its way to the black market two months ago. It was a scam, as Edelgard said; as the one who sold the said weapon was caught red-handed to take up a lie and got all the money.

Edelgard always a hunch similar to ‘gut feeling’ that one of the Legendary Weapon is present on a place. She said that it is in her blood, to detect such things, though Hubert always dubbed it as a mere wild goose chase.

Lysithea checked along the rows and rows belonged to the company in attendance list. It is quite crowded right now with small name companies as the bigger fray went for the speech inside the perimeter. She rounded twice to check Seiros Co. booth before she tried to make an excuse to examine the outer part of the building.

Aside from the main hall, the wing halls of Golden Deer wasn’t used. It was either closed off with a rope fence, with a plank of ‘NO ENTRY’, or they left it open. It would take a while to examine all, but likely no one will be able to hide there as it is a sterile area. It wasn’t located close to the slums, as well.

Did she miss out the attendants? Or did the one Edelgard sought off is also attending the presentation chamber? The lady’s intuition never far off the mark.

“--Excuse me?”

She snapped her attention to the caller, close to draw her weapon as she didn’t feel someone walked up to her before. Lysithea was sure no one followed her, or whether she walked to the crowded area. She straightened up to see a glimpse of pink hair - a woman that’s a few inch taller than her with a help of ridiculously elevated pumps. She dressed as the dress code recounted: formal attire, gown for women - but an evening gown in an event by high noon can’t exactly be counted as formal. Some parts of the dress that hugged her blessed curves was almost translucent, cream color blended straight to her skin tones.

Lysithea was finally aware that she was indeed staring too much as the pink-haired stranger speaks again, “Hello? Can you hear me? Or did I just scare the living daylights out of you?”

“Oh, uhh. No.” the snow-haired woman tried to regain her composure, smoothing the end part of her dress on the back, feeling the grip edge of her hidden blade. “… Well, to be honest, I was shook.”

“Then, I’m sorry.” she curtsied. Lysithea counted whether she is one of the high society member of Fodlan, or something. Though, she was unable to spot a rightful pin to notify that she is one, only the similar guest pass that Lysithea got for herself.

“Can you help me to find the way to the presentation area? I think I was lost after going back from the restroom.”

Lysithea checked her surroundings. They were in hall B, outside the main area. The only restroom usable in Golden Deer hall was located there because main hall ones are under repair, so Lysithea overheard from the passing staffs.

She didn’t find what she was looking for, it should be okay to trek back to the square one in the meantime.

“Sure, follow me.”


.

“And your name is Hilda Valentine Goneril?”

Lysithea tried to repeat, finding the name unusually long and got her a bit tongue-tied. The pink-haired woman cheerfulness and easy air were quite infectious. Lysithea wasn’t really one to indulge in aimless conversation, but she needed to lay low from her cover as a bodyguard to an Adrestia’s ‘weapon princess’.

“I was here on behalf of my late father,” she said, in which Lysithea hummed. “It’s strange to be on such place like this.”

“Why?”

“It’s just, different, than how I usually work at.” Hilda shrugged. “It’s not nice to always hide on the shadows, you know?”

“I think I can relate to that.” Lysithea commented, chewing insides of her mouth.

“Right? And, oh, is this the hall?”

Hilda pointed to the big door with small deer ornaments. The guards who stood by the entrance already lessened, perhaps already moved to inside as there were a lot of VIP attendants. To Hilda’s question, Lysithea only nodded. The bubbly woman gave her a  wave as goodbye then skidded to talk with the guard to let her in.

That name, ‘Goneril’ - Lysithea was sure she ever heard about the name before, but where?

--


[ III. ]

The journey back to the safe house was far colder and quieter.

Lysithea didn’t bother to speak a word before they arrived at the place at the sidelines of Garreg Metropolis, close to the borders of the infamous Airmid River. Lysithea pinged Hubert and Dorothea that the convention went smoothly without a further news about ‘Legendary Weapon’.

Edelgard settled her walking cane beside the door, she settled by the sofa on the living room with her head bowed down. Lysithea didn’t light the room yet, knowing how sensitive her boss is when she is deep in her own thought.

“You are dismissed for the night, Lysithea.”

Edelgard said in rasped voice. Covering her face with one palm, she held her head back to the comfort of the sofa and heave the longest of sigh. Lysithea waited for a brief minute before she trotted forward, taking the arm of the sofa to sit.

The safe house’s security measure was enough protection if Edelgard wanted time alone, Lysithea knew. Still-

“Are you thinking of her--that person, your old bodyguard?”

Edelgard didn’t answer, though she removed her hand from covering her face. Her bloodshot eyes were apparent amid the shadow of the eve filtering from the vertical blinds nearby. Her smile was hollow, no longer a controlled mask as they are removed away from the public eyes.

Her boss would never response to that question and she would never object as Lysithea clambered over to seize her lap, removing the coat of blood red away and gathered Edelgard’s face for her to behold.

A broken, broken jewel. A lady with suffused flame.

“I might not be Dorothea, but I can be quite a distraction.”

“I know.”

Her voice cracked once again, after their lips meet in chaste, meaningless kiss. But her hands moved,  effectively scraping away her gown.

“Dance with me, Lysithea.”

--


[ IV. ]


Edelgard told her to give her a space, and so she did after giving her a little means of relief - even to empty ends of it.

She asked to borrow the car, Edelgard didn’t object, though she got a bit of difficulty with Hubert on the phone a few minutes following. After dealing in with Hubert, Lysithea swept the car for interference once again before starting the engine.

The night was still as she drove the sedan downtown, finding that one hotel she always frequented during the Garreg Metropolis overstay.

Or to be exact, a base camp in a guise of hotel.

She parked beside the maroon Mini she knew would be there before her. The hotel has a peculiar name but it was easy to remember: Abyss. It is a standard love hotel, actually, though no one who checked in for one night stand would bother to check out the bar entrance number three by the far north exit.

Lysithea was greeted by the jazz grooving from the jukebox as she entered the password on the keypad beside the mailbox. Strong scent of lemon mixed with gin was within the room, cloaking in comfort of the place.

“You took your time, Lys.”

The bartender in black vest snickered from her duty on polishing glasses by Lysithea’s left, while the owner of the voice showed up from the stairs leading to underground parlor.

The once host persona he worn during daytime was no more, he donned a proper buttoned white shirt that’s tucked in his black pants. He even wore his ID tag on his chest, perhaps he just got back from his own duty.

Fodlan PD Extended Private Investigator: Claude von Riegan. And yes, this lair is his office.

“Did the owner played with her pet for too long” he waggled his eyebrow.

“I didn’t. Don’t get the wrong idea.” Lysithea scoffed.

Snickering, Claude pointed to his own neckline. “Be sure to hide those hickeys next time, little bird.”

“Wha--” wait. Claude was lying. Lysithea was sure she covered bites - and Edelgard didn’t bite that often.

“Come on, Claude, stop teasing her.” the bartender interjected. She took in one of the tall stool to sit after she offered Lysithea a drink on a tall glass.

Lysithea always asked for non-alcoholic one, and the bartender would offer her signature sweet mocktail or an over-sweetened coffee. Working in one of bars affiliated with Dimitri’s line of mafia network honed her skill on refining drinks - until she was chosen to be one of three close bodyguard line of the mafia king.

Annette Fantine Dominic might not be a lost soul like her, but she was away from the path where the easy way of life existed. Perhaps it is because her father’s past allegiance to mafia kingdom that made a sweetheart like her chose this path, Lysithea wouldn’t ever know. Then again, they are applying as a spy for the dark - the untouched drop of white in the puddle of mud.

“I didn’t see you earlier, Ann. Did Dimitri send you somewhere else but guard duty?”

“He got Felix and Sylvain,” she recounted. “Sylvain held the sniper, Felix stayed put in the car and was grumpy when he was back but not slaying anybody.”

“Hey, hey, no blood in my building, please.” Claude said.

“Oh yeah, I forgot you owned the building, fancypants.” Lysithea took a sip on the mocktail instead, avoiding supposed banter. “Mister Riegan, a genius jeweler who owned half of the-”

“Okay, stop there. We need to make the meeting quick, Claude, before Ingrid realized I’m gone from the Lion Bar.”

Claude joined them on the bar counter, he hold out his phone. “I’m sending the news for you to see. Look over it and maybe you want to check the diagram downstairs.”

Lysithea waited for the encrypted mail to be in as she enjoyed her sweet drinks slowly. It’s another news about auction. Most of it highlighted on the scammer and the growing rumor about the Legendary Weapon is fake and too sensationalized, but then there’s a deleted archive on the bottom, in which Claude had recovered.

“Wait, the weapon actually is sold before the scammer is apprehended?”

“Yes.” shifted to a serious tone, Claude crossed his arms on the counter top. “I’m still tracking of the one who bought the Treasure. No one in black market seemed to budge but from what I yield from the attendants of earlier weapon convention, no one happened to know.”

Claude nudged Lysithea slightly, “It seems this is your turn to do leg work, Lys.”

“But I’m busy in Edelgard’s.”

“Before an incident like two years ago happened again. We should act fast.”

A fairy tale of two years ago. The incident that’s labeled as unknown. The power exploded and the one supposed to hold it disappeared without a body, without a trace. Two powerhouse of arms dealer in Fodlan took the hefty price. An area in Tailtean Plains were closed off after the incident.

Byleth Eisner was responsible, and she is gone.