The Finest Made Plans…
—Hajime PoV
I don’t know what was worse. The girl hanging before us or the demon standing behind. Even as he gestured over to the several arranged seats welcomely, set around a small table holding a half finished chess game.
Cautiously the six of us took our seats. Leaving Lamprouge standing awkwardly. “I didn’t expect so many guests or I would’ve brought some more seats.”
Lightly tapping his suspended hostage, who spins cheerfully around with a barely discernible cheer.
Giving her an odd look he merely goes over and rests against the table lightly. “Well then I’ve been doing a bit of digging into this game here. Using my Ultimate lab, the one on the fourth floor, to help me explore this island. And I’ve found a lot of things. Foremost of which being the existence of a group known as the Ultimate Despair.
Led by someone known as the Ultimate Despair, or well two someone’s… maybe. It’s a bit vague on the matter but there is less than three Ultimate Despairs. One of which, is right here.”
He gestures the still spinning Midoriya.
“So that’s why you kidnapped her? To get information on the Ultimate Despairs?” Asks Akechi.
“Partially. The other reason is because quite simply I’ve learnt that the secret of this city is held both within the past killing games and this game itself. Meaning before learning the true secret of this game we need to know of the last games. Which we can only learn from someone who has seen or been a part of the prior games, hence Midoriya.” With this he lightly pressed a hand down and halted her spinning. Before lightly removing her gag.
“Well that’s interesting and all.” She cheerfully states. “But I’m not a part of this game, well the administration of it anyway.”
“I know that.” He admits calmly. “But as mentioned, I need to know if the past two killing games first. So tell me here and now. What is The Tragedy?”
“Oh~ I love this bit. So let me tell you the tale of the Biggest, most Awful, most Tragic event in human history.” The Ultimate Despair begins with a feral grin. “Also known as The Tragedy.”
—Story time w/ Izumi
“So it began long ago. At Hope’s Peak Academy. Where the hopes of the world, the most talented people in the world, nurtured and studied their talents for the good of all. Or so it was meant to be…
But then the board did several shady and very illegal experimentations in all sorts of stuff and a certain girl caught wind of this. She was the Ultimate Despair, the original Despair.
Yet among that research a certain class stood out most. The prospect of collecting talents form across dimensions. This project was however cancelled shortly after the Izuru Kamakura project went out of hand.
And before they could restart it the entirety of the Student Council was found murdered… well they technically killed each other in the prototype killing game but that doesn’t count!
Anyway that happened and led to a bunch of other stuff that all ended up with the end of the world! Woo! The end!
Or so you’d think. But after the end of the world, The Tragedy as it came to be known, the 78th class of Hope’s Peak, the only surviving current class following a massacre, locked themselves away to protect themselves from the Tragedy. However this was when the Ultimate Despair took control. Erasing their memories of the past few years they forced the class into a killing game. The first killing game.
It eventually ended when said class defeated said Ultimate Despair and she killed herself. However this was not the end! For you see the Remnants of Despair held another solution to this problem.
To get another original Ultimate Despair. Thus they reignited the original inter dimensional research and got in touch with various other worlds. One of which was mine.
And thus the second killing game occurred. Where in my world the greatest of its potential heroes were thrust into killing each other. Sadly that Ultimate Despair died at the end too, shame considering I was her girlfriend. And she didn’t even get to kill me! So rude…
After that stuff happened and here I am! Of course I got no clue as to this stuff nor why I’m here but for all intents and purposes I’m just another player in this game.
Just like all of you.”
——
Her story was unbelievable, ridiculous. The end of the world, dimensional travel technology and the Ultimate Despair. But yet a part of me knew it was true.
“My best guess.” Midoriya noted. “Is this is yet another attempt to get another Ultimate Despair to replace the original. But we rarely do the same stuff twice so who knows?”
“There’s more to it than that, as she gave a lot more information earlier when I first kidnapped her, but that’s the gist of it.” Adds Lamprogue casually as we sit there in shock.
“So how does that help us?” Yagami asks. “Sure it’s interesting, it explains how we ended up here from so many different universes but we still don’t know anything about these ‘secrets’ you keep mentioning?”
“Oh no, you misunderstand Yagami.” Lamperouge tuts. “It is merely the key, as our way to leave this city is simple.
All we need to do is rebuild that dimension travel technology.”
“How?” I ask dumbfounded, missing how Akechi’s eyes narrow suspiciously. “None of us have ever even seen it before.”
“Except Midoriya.” Answers Rose. “That’s your plan, to force Midoriya to let us go.”
“Originally she was merely blackmail material but the more I learn about the Ultimate Despair the less I realised that would work. Thus instead this approach is actually more likely to succeed.”
“But why do you need all of us then?” Kirigaya asks.
“Well I don’t.” Promptly answers Lamprouge. “In fact you all are much more likely to get in my way, as I’m not going to do that at all.”
Startled we all go to move but suddenly his eyes softly glow in the sunlight. “For the next twelve hours don’t open my rooms front door, and don’t stop me.”
As the light fades the seven of us pause momentarily, our bodies moving on their own. “Yes my liege.” We answer in sync before he drawls across the room casually. Shutting it behind him.
“Well fuck.” Summarises Rose in a startling display of uncharacteristic rudeness.
“Well we now know who was the one with the Mind Altering power then.” Amusedly remarks Akechi. “In which case it’s likely he’s off to kill the mastermind then. He probably gathered us here since we are the people who most assuredly opposed the mastermind.”
Yagami continues on, though it takes me a moment to realise it due to how similarly they sound. “From here he likely has a good idea as to who this mastermind is then.”
“Impressive plan, but he’s rushing for some reason.” Comments Akechi in thought. “But why?”
“Well we’ve got twelve hours until we can leave… but first,” Turning to Midoriya Kirigaya asks. “How much of that story was real?”
“Eh, most of it… maybe. Like fifty-fifty if you squint?” Sighing at the unclear answer he slaps her and her body goes back into spinning wildly.
Ignoring her squealing green haired rocket Tachibana comments. “Wait, he only said ‘don’t open my rooms front door’, implying there may be some other exit of some kind?”
“Definitely too specific.” Rose remarks. “And he mentioned something about his Ultimate lab too.”
“So are we all down for exploring his dorm room then?” Yagami summarises our thoughts. Which we all reply affirmations to.
As despite this very confusing morning, we’ve got to move forward. And hopefully figure out what on Earth Lamprouge is planning along the way.
—Day 2: Investigation Start!
Stepping back from the scene I take in his whole room once again.
It was just like my room - and likely everybody else here too - with two sections to it. The lower section had a specially designed carpet, black died walls with a royal golden lining and six seats set atop it around a table holding a half-finished chess match. There’s also that strangely designed suit standing in the corner.
Lastly I would point out Midoriya’s gagged and suspended form and the bookcases at the side holding strategy books and out of all things an orange octopus-like plush with a top hat.
Huh, weird.
Wait a minute. On one of the shelves there sat a picture of a brown haired girl in a wheelchair with closed eyes. Being pushed along by a white, red and gold garbed brown haired figure. It was labelled 99th Queen of Britannia Nunally Von Britannia, and Seventh Knight of the Round Suzaku Kurarugi. And the frames a bit loose too.
Opening it up I find a small note. “To my dearest Demon Emperor, -C.C.” It reads. What does this mean?
*Truth Bullet Found: Mysterious Photo*
Settling it down I turn over to the chairs. All set up around him and the table. Some of them I recognise as simple camping chairs coming from the mall, but when did he have the time to get them?
*Truth Bullet Found: Mall Chairs*
Now there’s this masked figure. Taking off the rounded helmet reveals a wooden statue beneath. So it’s all on a stand, but by the looks of things it’s probably fit Lelouch perfectly.
“This suit has been used recently.” Comments Akechi as he steps closer and looks around the neck piece. “The entire thing is practically brand new. But I’ve never seen it around, not even during our guarding last knight.”
*Truth Bullet Found: Used Costume*
Speaking of that I should ask him about how things went. “Did anything of note happen last night?”
Akechi shakes his head. “No, I quickly set up the tripwire across the entrance and stood guard just out of view behind the front entrance desk opposite the door. Both Tachibana and Rose did the same on their shift. Though I did wake up briefly in the night during Tachibana’s shift, I think I heard footstepsbut when I checked the stairs I didn’t see anyone.”
*Truth Bullet Found: Akechi’s Testimony*
I wonder if Tachibana also heard it. “Tachibana, did you hear anything like Akechi?”
She shakes her head. “I thought I saw a raven flying across the hall but the door didn’t open nor did the tripwire get tripped.”
*Truth Bullet Found: Tachibana’s Testimony*
Ok so Akechi heard something around the same time Tachibana saw something. That can’t be a coincidence.
But first something still it bugging me about all this. “Midoirya?”
“Yes?” She twists round and turns to me.
“Was any of what you said real? Now I need you to be truthful here as this is vital information.” She tilts her head in thought for a moment.
“Fine. I don’t know how much of it was true but to Lamprouge it certainly was.”
*Truth Bullet Found: Izumi’s Tale*
What does that mean? Sadly I know I’m not getting anything more from the girl as she’s started trying to get herself spinning again. I seriously don’t understand her.
Well no use thinking on it now. I look up at the large flag hanging over the balcony. Designed the same as the carpet. What is this symbol supposed to be? It has to be something important to Lamprouge somehow or it wouldn’t be plastered all over this place.
*Truth Bullet Found: Flag Symbol*
“Hm.” Takaski’s deep in thought about something. I wonder what?
“Is something bothering you?”
Looking up she smiles kindly. “It’s just that weird order he gave us before. It feels far too purposeful.
“Yeah.” Agreeing with her I contemplate the order once more. “‘Don’t open the front door’, that’s just weirdly specific of him.”
“Yes, it is.” She quietly alludes darkly. “I can’t help but think he must’ve had some reason for it. Oh well, it’s not like we know it now.”
*Truth Bullet Found: Lamprogue’s Orders*
“There’s still quite a bit else we need to figure out first. Like why he trapped us all here in the first place.”
Nodding she finishes with a mildly forced enthusiastic. “Best get to it then shall we?”
Smiling slightly at her attempt to cheer me up, despite the crazy atmosphere we’ve been thrust into.
We just need to hold out hope we can escape this place right.
Speaking of doors, I walk over and inspect the front door. Nothing about it really stands out to me besides the lock. It’s a keycard holder with a black surface that serves as a scanner below it. The scanner reacts to our tablets but why is there a keycard slot?
‘There’s something in there.’ Izuru offhandedly comments somewhat helpfully. ‘In the slot.’
I don’t see it but what could that be? And if so why?
*Truth Bullet Found: Dorm Doors Locks*
Hm? The closets open. Looking inside reveals tons of identical clothes as to what Lamprogue was always wearing. Huh, I don’t see any pockets.
Giving them the once over with my hands confirms this fact. Not a single pocket all over, not even inside the coat. Though there is a gun holster below the shoulder that could allow you to hold something if it was cylindrical.
*Truth Bullet Found: Lamprouge’s Clothes*
Well that’s about everything on the first section. Well it should be anyway. Glancing at the carpet I briefly wonder if there might be anything under it.
Apparently sharing that thought is Kirigaya who reaches down and starts rolling it up. A few minutes and a lot of helping hands later and the entire floor was cleared. There wasn’t a single blemish in the wood. Not a single secret passageway at all.
“I really thought there might be something. But I guess reality isn’t so much like video games huh?” Kirigaya awkwardly comments. But it’s still unusual, if not here where would this secret passage be?
With that done with I go and walk up to the stairs, heading onwards up- wait is that a breeze? Glancing over at the window I find something unusual, one of the windows has been pushed out the frame slightly. It’s still loose too so a single push would open it right up… though I don’t think I’d do so. We’re almost a hundred feet up after all, falling would be suicide.
Yet still this feels important somehow. So I note it down like the rest.
*Truth Bullet Found: Open Window*
With that detour dealt with I head upstairs. There I found a seemingly untouched bed and a slightly dented banister. With Rose closely inspecting it.
“The banisters been pulled outwards somehow, and not I’m not talking about Midoriya her rope is latched onto a hook on the underside of this platform. Also the bed hasn’t been slept in much. So I doubt Lamprouge got much sleep the past two nights.” She comments clinically with a distinct air about her findings.
“I see… thanks Rose. And I really do appreciate it, I doubt I’d have been able to notice such things.”
“It’s fine. Don’t mention it.” She retorts monotonously. “But please just call me Ruby, we are likely stuck here for the foreseeable future after all. And being called Rose all the time is remarkably annoying.”
You don’t look that annoyed though. I hold back my inner comment and just reply. “Yeah, I’ll do that Ruby.”
With a parting nod I descend back down. The details of the upper platform copied over to my Monopad.
*Truth Bullet Found: Upper Platform*
Now what do I do? I’ve looked all over this place and I haven’t found a single trace of-
A loud thump and a bloodcurdling cry screeches out from beyond the front door. All of us inside - barring a spinning Izumi - rush towards the door. Akechi having crouched up against the keycard slot and is listening on the other side.
A few seconds later he stands back up. “Somethings happened out there.” He comments with a grim look on his face. “And something not good at all.” He traces his hand across the keycard slot and pulls it up to reveal something that sends shivers down all of our spines.
Blood.
“Ding dong! Ding dong!” Rings out the monitor at the other end of the room. All of us growing instantly aware as to what’s just happened. “A body has been discovered! After a certain amount of time passes, a class trial will begin!
Also someone go get Lamprouge’s room opened for the other citizens would you? They’re in a bit of a pickle there.”
Fizzling out the announcement leaves us in a state of dread, anxiety and most of all, the most sickening thing of all, despair.
“Oh yes baby, it has begun!” Cackles Midoriya before an enraged Kirigaya punches her straight in the stomach. Her limp body twisting inwards as her eyes roll back and she falls unconscious.
Panting he sighs a long sigh. “I’m tired of her bullshit. This is human life here, we can’t just go laughing it off like that.” Unsheathing one of his swords, a black blade that he then uses to cut Midoriya out of her bindings where she hence falls to the floor, he turns over towards the door. “Everyone stand out of the way.”
Without asking the lot of us speedily run to the back of the room. As he lets ours a feral yell and in one swift motion. Cuts the hinges off the door cleanly, even slicing out the locking mechanism perfectly and without error. Sheathing his blade once more the door falls down outwards, revealing to us a terrible, terrible sight.
For our in the foyer, just before our fallen door there lay the cold, dead body of Lelouch Lamprogue. Blood pooling from his neck as his stretched out body lays back against the cold floor.
“Ding dong! Dong ding!” Begins another monitor, startling us all. “A body has been discovered! The time for investigation had been slightly extended! Good luck!”
Flickering out our stunned pause is left to fill the room. All six of us, awake at least, frozen in shock.
Or so we thought. But Ruby steps forward and quickly gives his body the once over. “A single puncture wound to the neck, not very deep though. Bloodshot eyes. Signs of a slight struggle, one quickly lost by the looks of things, and the blood trail leading from the door indicates his body was dragged slightly.”
*Truth Bullet Found: Lelouch’s Body*
“Yup! Yup! Yup indeed.” Confirms Monokuma as he comes out of nowhere once more. “And to think, barely two days in and you’ve already started dropping like flies! Puhuhuhu!”
“You.” Growls Kirigaya, his hand already held on his blade once more. But obviously he’s hesitating somewhat.
“Who me? Is something the matter Mr Blackety-Black Swordsman?” The bear teases annoyingly. “Cause if not I’d love to get back to my luxurious and prim and perfect bath. Which is just begging for me to get into you know?”
For a moment a tense pause falls between the pair. Until Tachibana interrupts them both. “No. Nothings wrong, you can go now.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.” She answers without inflection at all. Calm and unfazed as always.
“Fine~” Groans the bear before vanishing.
“You ok there?” Akechi asks Kirigaya who tenses briefly before settling down again.
“Yeah, thanks for that you guys. I almost lost it…”
Grinning widely Akechi pats him gently on the back. “Well we’re all in this together now, and therefore we must look out for each other in times like this. Everyone we lose puts us one step further into this maddening game, we need to stay focused. Got it everyone?”
Words of affirmation ring across once more as our spirits soar back up. Though still sour we, unlike before have hope, hope that we will solve this gruesome murder and get through this class trial thing.
But right before any of us could begin the staircase opens up as the rest of our co-hurts spill out into the foyer. All of whom in equal mixes of shock and terror.
“Lamprogue too…” Murmurs a shaken Misaka.
“Well this is annoying, if not a little disappointing.” Remarks a rather calm Takaski as she steps over to the elevator and hits the call button. “But I think this room here, is the scene of both murders.”
“The hell are you talking about?” Huffs Elric as brashly as ever.
She simply picks up a glass shard by the foot of the elevator. “Doesn’t this seem familiar?” She asks her group who fall silent.
“What else happened?” I ask her, seeing how she’s taken charge to a degree. “Who else has died?”
And as if on clockwork the elevator arrives. Opening up to reveal that second fact for us all. As there lay Darkness, a glass shard having lodged itself into her eye and similar shards all across her body. Her white armour stained by blood and an oddly clear liquid.
The largest chunk of the glass lay at her bodies side, and it held a label that stood out to me instantly.
As Strike-9.
*Truth Bullet Found: Strike-9 Bottle and Glass Shard*
Another well of silence befalls the entirety of us all. Even as Albarn dryly states with noticeable distaste. “The Mono-File updated.”
“Mono-File?” Akechi asked as she showed him a black and white tablet like all of our Monopads. Except this was labelled explicitly, Mono-File #1. “I see. This is most certainly useful.”
With that the shock shattered as panic set in finally. “So who did this then?” Demanded Misaka, sparks zapping across her body like lightning. Furious lightning. “Who the hell killed them both?”
“That’s what we’re trying to find out.” Stated Ruby. “And panicking will get us no where.”
“So we should just fucking stay quiet and wait until all this blows over then? Just twiddle out fingers until the trial begins?” The Ultimate Esper snorts. “Yeah right.”
“So we should split up then.” Suggest Yagami. “Two people should stand guard to ensure nobody tampers with the scene and the rest can travel about looking for clues. His room was locked with no reasonable way out until just now when Kirigaya broke it down after the murder. Therefore all of us inside the room are not suspects in this crime.”
“Yeah right.” She retorts furiously. Her stormy electric energy rippling around her like a cloak as she argues on. “Any of you could’ve been the one to kill him either. Honestly it’s more likely since you all were already on this floor. Especially since she’s there.”
Glaring daggers at the aforementioned she, Misaka marches up to the unconscious Ultimate Despair. “Honestly if anyone would be the one to kill it’d be this bitch.”
“Who until just recently was bound and gagged up by Lamprogue.” Retorts Ruby as she snatched onto the Electromaster hand to stop her. “Think rationally, letting your emotions get the better of you is what Monokuma wants.”
Sparking angrily for a moment she takes several deep breaths before stepping and pushing off the soldiers hand. “I know.” She grumbles. “I know.”
Clapping his hands together Akechi restarts the conversation. “Well with that sorted I agree with Yagami. Someone needs to keep an eye on the scene, more than one someone too.”
“I’ll do it then.” Misaka volunteers immediately. “I’m not really the investigative type, all that stuff gives me a headache…”
Nodding in affirmation he continues. “Anyone else?”
“Yeah, I may as well stay guard as well.” Remarks Elric awkwardly. “I’m a scientist, not a detective.”
“In that case these two will stay at the scene. Everyone else split up into similarly sized groups and let’s continue this investigation.” Concludes Akechi as everyone does just that.
Leaving myself, Akechi, Rose and surprisingly Nagita at the crime scene.
“Hm what are you doing here Nagita?” Startled at my question he jumps briefly before gathering his wits again.
“There was something that caught my eye about that Strike-9 bottle. It’s just a suspicion of mine but I figured I’d check it out.” Heading over to the bottle he reaches down and picks up the labelled glass section. “As I thought…” He murmured.
“What is it?” I ask him inquisitively.
“This isn’t just another bottle of Strike-9, it’s the same one from the mall. I noticed it had a slight crack in the glass below the title and it’s still there. The exact same as before, well apart from the rest of it being shattered all over that is.”
“So what you’re saying is that this bottle came form the mall?” He nods in affirmation.
“But how did it get out of the chemical bin…” I might need to go check that later.
“Oh, what actually are the effects of Strike-9 anyway?”
“Ah.” The Ultimate Teacher muses for a moment before stating. “If I remember rightly it’s highly lethal. The slightest bit of intake can kill you almost instantly. Even touching it can affect you, though you’d need a good half of the bottle to kill someone that way. Bloodshot eyes are a common symptom of it too.”
Once again way too creepy how much he knows about stuff like that. But helpful nonetheless.
*Truth Bullet Updated: Strike-9 Bottle and Glass Shard*
“I hope that helped.” He shyly states as I smile up at him.
“I think this might just crack the case honestly.” As it certainly ruled out the most suspicious person when poisons involved.
Speaking of. I head up to Akechi and ask him. “Speaking of poisons do you still have your lab’s key with you?”
Nodding he takes it out of his pocket. “Right here. It hasn’t left my person the entire time… also I’m a remarkably shallow sleeper. The slightest noise can wake me up in an instant. And if you are suspicious that I poisoned them I may as well add that I haven’t had the chance to go to my lab after first checking it over yesterday.”
“Stuff seems to wake you easily right? Like that sound you heard?” I bring up briefly.
He then hums to himself in thought. And I instantly knew I’d now lost him entirely, lost in his own mind.
Oh well, he’ll probably figure something out about that by the time the trial comes round.
*Truth Bullet Found: Detective Lab Key*
Anyway I’d best actually check these bodies then. Heading over to Lamprogue’ so watch as Ruby fishes her hand through his clothes.
“There’s not even any pockets., not that he is carrying anything on him” She concludes. “Though I did find this lying in the folds oddly enough.” Bringing out a slight glass shard, barley the size of a pinky fingers nail. “I think it’s part of that Strike-9 container.”
“But why did Lamprouge have it if he was the one who was killed then?” Thinking aloud I jot the details of what she discovered down.
*Truth Bullet Updated: Lamprogue’s Body*
“Anything else you’ve found?” I ask her but she merely shakes her head.
“I think I’m onto something though, I’ll tell if it amounts to anything.” And she goes back to examining the body once more.
Oh yeah she also mentioned a bloodstain before. Glancing over I notice the trail leading to his dorm’s door. It was smooth and still wet. So it’s seem he must’ve been dragged over from the door. But why?
*Truth Bullet Found: Trail of Blood*
Maybe if I look a bit closer to the door I’ll find something. Stepping closer I examine the cleanly cut up door in awe. Kirigaya really deserves his title as the Ultimate Swordsman, he managed to avoid damaging the locking mechanism. Though he did wreck the hinges.
The doors landed directly over the source of the blood. Therefore obscuring it from further examination, likely removing anything we possibly could’ve learnt from it too.
‘The slot.’ Reminds Izuru. ‘Something was in there.’
Checking it over I pick up the detached section and turn it over. Somehow it landed outside the large bloodstain, thus it stayed the same as before Kirigaya removed it.
Unlike on the other side on this one below the handle the scanner was stained with a bloody handprint. Pouting up towards slot, which is scratched around the edges. Like something was forced into it.
*Truth Bullet Updated: Dorm Doors Lock*
Putting it back down where it fell carefully I conclude the examination of the door. It’s time to check out Darkness’ body then.
Heading over to the elevator I found it to be remarkably clean of blood. Honestly there was only a slight amount of blood coming from Darkness’ puncture eye socket. Her other eye was closed too. Likely reflexively after her left got hit.
But now her bodies slumped over on the floor. Meaning that whenever she got hit she almost instantly died afterwards.
That matches what I know about Strike-9.
“Died instantly due to poison.” States Akechi, as he reads off the Mono-File in his hands. “Ah, you haven’t seen it yet have you. The Mono-File is basically the autopsy of the bodies, I didn’t add anything earlier since Rose has so far been entirely accurate.”
“Could I have a look?” Nodding he hands it over to me without question, crouching down besides Darkness’ body himself as I read it over.
——
Monokuma File #1
Victim 1:
-Darkness, Ultimate Masochist
-T.O.D: 11:35am
-C.O.D: Her body held lethal poison, was stabbed in the eye and she died almost instantly
Victim 2:
-Lelouch Lamprogue, Ultimate Tactician
-T.O.D: 11:38am
-C.O.D: Was stabbed once in the throat, has lacerations around his wrists and bruises on his chest, died almost instantly
——
Well this doesn’t add much. But it does give us the times of death. Which lines up to when everyone was gathered due to the scream we heard.
*Truth Bullet Found: Monokuma File #1*
Speaking of. “Akechi earlier after the scream what did you hear?”
Pausing for a moment in his examination of her body he thinks briefly before saying. “I heard grunting of some kind. It sounded like a sort of struggle.”
“Yeah, Lamprogue also seemed rather bruised too. Definitely a struggle of some kind happened right before his death.”
“Indeed. And one he most assuredly lost, his life with it too.”
*Truth Bullet Found: Signs of Struggle*
“What about Darkness though? Anything similar?” I ask him curiously.
“No, it seems she died before that began. Considering the times of death suggest such as well.” He summarises.
“Lamprogue wasn’t the most athletic of people.” I recall from my few encounters with him. “It’s not too surprising he lost then.”
“Regardless do you see this stain here.” He points at Darkness’ chest plate and sodden dress beneath. “I wouldn’t recommend touching it. From what I can tell this here is poison.”
“Strike-9?” I ask and he assuredly nods.
“Yes. And while I’m unsure as to weather the liquid or the shard held the killing blow I feel the difference will be important somehow.” With that he stands back up and steps back. “But that’s all I can tell from her body. She isn’t carrying anything either.”
*Truth Bullet Found: Darkness’ Body*
Getting up behind him he leads me to the centre of the room. “Whilst we have given a good look over this place I feel we may also need to investigate elsewhere too.”
“Yeah, the poison came from the mall so we should check briefly there. And there’s also that mysterious sound you heard and the ‘bird’ Tachibana thinks she saw in the entrance hall.” I bring up.
“And the Ultimate Tacticians lab also is hidden somewhere in this hotel.” Akechi remarks before gazing across the lot of us here. Including our two stationary guards who’ve merely stayed at the side all this time.
“Well in that case we should be off then.” Turning to the two guards, Elric and Misaka standing by the staircase doors besides the elevator he declares. “I’ll be heading out to investigate elsewhere now, Hinata will be coming with me for safety purposes.” Huh since when am I a part of this?
‘Just go along with it. He’s giving you a chance to investigate some more.’ Izuru comments monotonously.
Fine, I may as well go with him. I need to figure out the truth of this case after all. Or else I’d never forgive myself. I need to do something.
“Fine.” Elric waves us by as he lets the both of us pass on by. Heading out to continue our investigation.
Unaware of just how horrible the truth may be.