The transition from the subterranean shadows of a murder investigation back into the blinding, opulent light of the Starr Gala was a jarring, almost nauseating shift in reality.
As Ray, Svane, and Rina slipped back into the grand ballroom, the contrast hit them like a physical wall. A small orchestra was playing a sweeping, upbeat waltz. Hundreds of Solhaven’s most powerful aristocrats were laughing, drinking vintage wine, and spinning across the polished marble floor, completely oblivious to the fact that the absolute bedrock of the household was lying dead on a cold cellar floor just a few dozen yards away.
Ray immediately initiated Partial Immersion and activated the Gritty Detective’s ‘Observation’ skill, his golden-flecked eyes scanning the sea of silk and jewels for any sign of Bastian Sterling’s threadbare robes or Gino’s senior staff uniform.
It was impossible. The crowd was too thick, and Ray’s status as one of the representatives of the upcoming Azure Cup made him a walking target. Within seconds, an older Baron stepped into his path, raising a glass in greeting.
"Ah, Lord Croft! An exceptional evening, isn't it? I was hoping we could discuss some business…"
"Another time, Baron. Forgive me."
Ray said, forcing a polite nod as he smoothly sidestepped the man, only to be immediately intercepted by a Viscountess wanting to introduce her daughter.
Ray realized instantly that he was too high-profile to navigate this room with any speed. He stepped back behind a towering floral arrangement and pulled Svane and Rina close.
"I am bogged down, Svane, did you bring your communication ear cuff?"
Ray asked.
Svane moved his hand on to the breast pocket of his suit, he showed it to Ray.
"I have it here, my Lord.”
Svane responded as he equipped and activated it.
Ray also pulled out his communication ear cuff back from his bag of holding and equipped it and activated it.
Ray then turned to Rina. He activated the Understudy Protocol’s ‘Resonant Communication Link.’ and connected to Rina.
A faint, invisible tether snapped into place between Ray and Rina’s minds. Rina blinked, her eyes widening slightly as Ray’s voice echoed directly inside her head.
Go with Svane. Look for Gino and Bastian. Do not engage the alchemist if you find him. Just report back.
Ray communicated mentally.
Rina gave a tiny, almost imperceptible nod. She instantly shifted her posture, engaging the footwork of the Flowing Shadow Technique. In a heartbeat, she made herself small and unassuming, slipping effortlessly into the narrow gaps between the dancing nobles like water through stones.
Svane, however, did no such thing. Built like a siege engine, with his massive frame he couldn't 'melt' into a crowd if he tried. Instead, he used his size as a weapon of misdirection. He stepped forward with a heavy, deliberate presence, politely but immovably parting the sea of aristocrats. The nobles instinctively shrank back, their eyes drawn entirely to the intimidating giant pushing through their ranks, which provided the perfect, moving eclipse for Rina to vanish behind. Within seconds, they had both successfully disappeared into the gala.
Left to his own devices, Ray continued his slow, agonizingly polite crawl through the perimeter of the room. It wasn't long before a familiar voice called out to him.
"Ray!"
Eliza was standing near a fountain of cascading champagne, looking radiant in her gala gown. Her mother, Esha, stood beside her, offering Ray a warm, graceful smile.
"Lord Croft."
Esha greeted smoothly.
"I hope you are enjoying your first major Solhaven social event? House Starrs always throw a magnificent party."
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"It has been... deeply eventful, Lady Esha."
Ray replied, forcing a standard, polite smile to his lips.
Ray did not realize that he dropped the ball with his response. He was too anxious, too focused on the ticking clock. Eliza, whose own observational skills and imparted Lie Detection skill had been sharpening ever since she became Ray’s understudy, instantly noticed the discrepancy. She saw the rigid tension in his jaw. She saw the frantic, calculating coldness behind his golden-flecked eyes.
Eliza’s polite smile vanished. She took a step closer, her voice dropping.
"Ray. What is wrong?"
Ray froze. Lying to her was pointless now, she had already caught on to something and her skills were only getting better. He made a split-second decision.
Eliza. Do not make it obvious. Just listen.
Eliza’s breath hitched slightly as the Resonant Communication Link activated in her mind, but she quickly masked her surprise, taking a sip from her glass to cover her reaction.
The House Starr head butler Warren Ramada has been murdered!
Ray mentally communicated.
Rina was found with Warren’s dead body and Master Alvon has made Rina the prime suspect in his investigation. I managed to leverage Headmaster Andrade for temporary jurisdiction, but I only have until dawn to find the real killer. We have exactly five hours and forty-five minutes before Master Alvon's guards drag Rina to the stockades.
Eliza’s eyes widened in sheer horror. She looked out at the laughing, dancing crowd, suddenly realizing that a cold-blooded killer was walking among them. She had interacted with Rina many times; the idea that the kind, caring attendant was capable of murder was completely ludicrous.
She looked back at Ray, her eyes hardening with resolve.
Tell me what you need. How can we help?
Eliza communicated with determination.
I am looking for two men.
Ray replied, quickly transmitting the physical descriptions of Bastian Sterling and Gino.
Bastian is the prime suspect. Gino is a senior staffer of House Starr. I believe he might be his accomplice. Keep your eyes open.
Eliza gave a minute nod. She leaned over and whispered rapidly in her mother’s ear. Esha’s warm, maternal expression shifted instantly. A flash of deep sadness and worry crossed her face, but she was a noblewoman of Solhaven. The worry was immediately buried under a mask of icy, aristocratic determination. Esha met Ray’s eyes and gave him a single, sharp nod of solidarity. They immediately turned and began to quietly patrol the eastern wing of the ballroom.
A moment later, Svane’s gravelly voice crackled in Ray’s ear cuff.
"My Lord. We have located Gino."
"Is he with Sterling?"
Ray muttered into his cuff, pretending to inspect a pastry on a passing tray.
"No, my Lord. He was alone. We intercepted him near the western corridors. I have detained him in a vacant parlor to avoid a scene. He is confused and asking for you."
Eliza, we found Gino. I am going to intercept. Focus entirely on finding Bastian Sterling.
Ray projected through the mental link.
Understood.
Eliza’s mental voice replied sharply.
Ray abandoned the ballroom, slipping through a side door and moving rapidly down the quiet western corridors. He found the vacant parlor. Svane was standing guard inside the door, his arms crossed, while Rina stood near the window.
In the center of the room stood Gino.
When Ray entered, the senior staffer let out a massive sigh of relief, stepping forward.
"My Lord! Thank the founders. I was just trying to organize a few of the junior staffers and guards to expand the search for Bastian Sterling, but your attendant practically dragged me in here! I don't understand…"
Ray didn't say a word. He didn't offer a polite greeting.
He initiated Tri-Concurrent Partial Immersion. He activated the Grizzled Commander’s ‘Command Aura’, the Charismatic Conman’s ‘Lie Detection’, and the Gritty Detective’s ‘Interrogation’ skill.
The transformation was violent. The air in the parlor instantly turned to lead. The terrifying, suffocating pressure of the Command Aura skill slammed into Gino like a tidal wave.
Gino physically stumbled backward, the relief instantly shattering off his face, replaced by shock. He threw his hands up defensively, struggling to breathe under the oppressive weight of Ray's aura.
"Do not attempt to lie to me, Gino. Tell me exactly what you are hiding. Because if you withhold a single detail, I will hand you over to the Academy’s head of security right now!"
Ray said, his voice a low, vibrating octave that promised absolute ruin. Gino was terrified, trembling under the pressure, but more than that, he was completely and utterly bewildered.
"H-hiding? My Lord, I swear to you, I have told you everything I know! We haven't found Bastian yet, I'm trying, I swear I'm trying! Did I do something wrong? Why are you treating me like an enemy?!"
In the Ambient Presence, the committee delivered an immediate, undeniable verdict.
Conman: "Stand down, Ray. His reaction is one hundred percent genuine. Look at the micro-expressions, listen to the vocal hitch. It isn't just fear; it is absolute, unfeigned confusion. He has no idea why you are attacking him."
Detective: "He isn't our accomplice. You need to pivot the interrogation right now. We are running out of time."
Ray let out a slow, measured breath. He instantly deactivated the Command Aura, pulling the suffocating pressure out of the room.
Gino gasped, dropping his hands to his knees as he dragged air into his lungs, looking up at Ray with wide, betrayed eyes.
"Gino… was Warren Ramada grooming you to be the next Head Butler?"
Ray said quietly, his tone shifting to something much more clinical.
The question made Gino pause. The fear in his eyes faded, instantly swallowed by a sudden, bitter realization.
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