| Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Epilogue |
| Stone of Truth | Investigation Notes | ||||
Epilogue[]
6-1 A New Puzzle[]
| (After leaving that tower, I heard little of the Astrologer's fate.) (Soon after, a package arrived, sealed with the mark of a jellyfish. Inside, there was a single vial of antidote.) (From what I gathered, the police took all evidence from the scene when closing the case, yet the vial labeled "Hydra" mysteriously disappeared.) (Auburn Duval, the Astrologer, was imprisoned, but his trial remained inexplicably delayed.) (The prison stood isolated, cut off from the outside world, and with time, the whispers of starlit divination faded into obscurity.) (A few months later, the Sheriff informed me that Duval had mysteriously disappeared form his cell.) (Just as over a century ago, no one could explain how "Goatee" escaped that chamber, so too was Duval's disappearance shrouded in mystery.) (After all, in all the productions of The Night of the Black Storm, there was never any mention of secret passages or hidden ropes on the stage.) (And curiously, there was no mention of a Lady of Dawn.) |
6-2 A Late Letter[]
| Amicitia, my beloved friend, forgive me for finding the courage to write this letter three years too late. Three years ago, Enid's tragedy irrevocably altered the course of your life. It cast me into profound uncertainty, struggle, and suffering. When you told me that Enid's death was the result of a scheme devised by several powerful families skilled in poisons, I was struck dumb with shock and unable to find peace. It left me unable to face the precious friendship you had extended to me, for I am a member of one of the families you despise most—the Ulliel family. I've never shared this with you, but my name is Assaf Ulliel. After my parents passed away, I was raised by the Ulliel family. Because of the mutation of my scales, I've always faced ridicule and scorn, cautiously shielding my fragile pride and self-worth. When I met you, you introduced me to the wonders of astronomy, mathematics, and philosophy. You became my guide, my mentor, my only true friend. You opened a world of possibilities for me, and I will always be grateful for that. But when you faced the greatest hardships in your life and needed help the most, I failed to stand by you. I am sorry. I feared revealing the truth. I feared that you would no longer see me as your friend if you knew my true identity. But when you told me of your thirst for vengeance against those families, I finally understood—revenge was consuming you, and I did not want to see you lost in it. The only way I could help was to find Enid's killer and end this endless cycle. After three years of secret investigation, I discovered something crucial in a place called Mistro. Though it is difficult to believe, I found that your sister's death may have been the work of someone outside of the Nine Families. I must tell you this immediately, so you do not walk further down the wrong path. The Ulliel family needs someone to steal a special "concoction" during your enlightenment ritual, and I saw this as the perfect opportunity to meet you again. So, I volunteered for the task, with the condition that I survive your "revenge ritual." If I do not survive, I will not regret my choice. After all, this overdue apology is something I wish to give you in person. Your friend forever, 367
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