Chapter 48: A Slice of Suspicion

Screams echoed through the streets of Eldrin Town, smoke rising and flames crackling as chaos unfolded. A horde—unrelenting, overwhelming—descended upon the town from all directions.

Wolves with bloodstained fur, goblins shrieking with jagged blades, skeletons clattering in rusted armor, ogres roaring with brutish rage—the monsters came in waves, an unnatural alliance of death and destruction.

Adventurers, both seasoned and new, had formed a desperate frontline. Clashes erupted as swords clanged, arrows flew, and magic illuminated the dusk-stained sky. But the horde seemed endless. No matter how many fell, more surged forward.

Just as panic threatened to consume the defenders, an azure aura rippled through the battlefield—like a tide pushing back the darkness.

A commanding voice echoed:

“Azure Vortex: Cleaving Tempest.”

From above the town wall, a figure descended with a swift, spiraling motion. Valeriana Azurecrest—captain of the royal investigation unit—landed amidst the monsters, sword spinning.

Wind howled.

A brilliant crescent-shaped air slash, glowing in azure hue, tore forward with a deafening rush.

It cut through goblins and wolves like they were paper, cleaving a clean arc into the monster tide.

Valeriana stood amidst the aftermath, her blade humming with wind mana, her cape fluttering behind her. With each movement, her precision and power reminded all why she was feared on the battlefield.

But the moment of calm didn’t last.

A massive green ogre, nearly twice her height, charged forward. Its brutal iron club swung down with murderous strength, aiming straight for her back.

Valeriana sensed the killing intent. She spun—

But before her blade could rise—

BOOM!

A deafening shockwave cracked the ground.

Before anyone could blink, a figure appeared midair, his arms calmly folded. Without so much as a glance toward the ogre, his leg extended in a clean, effortless side kick.

It landed square on the ogre’s face.

Crack!

The monster’s skull twisted unnaturally as its massive body flew back like a ragdoll, crashing into a tree with such force that bark exploded outward. Blood splattered. The ogre’s body slumped, lifeless.

The ogre’s skull exploded in a spray of green mist as a smiling figure with folded arms landed beside Valeriana.

Not a wrinkle disturbed his coat. His arms still folded.

Zane’s clone.

He stood there, hands still folded, coat fluttering, his gaze playful.

“You’ve gotta be more careful, Captain Val,” he said casually.

Valeriana clicked her tongue, annoyed. “I told you not to call me that.”

The clone smirked. “What can I say? It suits you.”

He glanced around the battlefield, eyes narrowing at the monsters swarming the outer ring of Eldrin.

“Well then, shall we? We’ve still got a suspect to chase.”

The two of them charged forward—Valeriana’s sword glowing with fresh wind aura, and Zane’s clone weaving between enemies, still not using his hands.

With every flick of his feet or shoulder, a monster was sent flying or torn apart. Meanwhile, Valeriana’s precision techniques carved through the battlefield like a dancer of war.

In the midst of the chaos, Valeriana exhaled, slightly frustrated, slightly tired.

“…How the hell did it come to this?”

Some time earlier…

Standing tall before the entrance was a striking woman clad in gleaming silver heavy armor, its etched runes faintly glowing under the sunlight. Her snow-white hair cascaded neatly down her back, a stark contrast to her ocean bluish-green eyes that scanned the building with quiet sharpness. Behind her stood two knights, equally imposing in their polished armor, their presence drawing the attention of nearby townsfolk . Her eyes narrowed at the quaint structure

unassuming, quiet, but harboring someone far from ordinary.

The trio stepped inside, the cozy warmth of the inn contrasting sharply with the crisp authority in Valeriana’s stride. Behind the counter stood the manager and the inn’s owner, both startled by her sudden approach.

“We’re looking for a man named Zane Creed,” she said, voice firm.

The manager exchanged a quick glance with the owner. “Sorry, ma’am. We don’t share customer information.”

Valeriana flipped open her badge. “Valeriana Azurecrest. Captain of Division Nine—Cipher—of the Valdoria Kingdom’s Investigation Unit.”

That did it.

Their expressions changed instantly. “Ah–yes, of course, Captain. Please follow us.”

Moments later, they stood outside a room .

Valeriana raised her hand and knocked twice.

A muffled voice answered almost immediately.

“So you came… finally.”

She blinked, alarm bells ringing. In a flash, her sword was drawn, the two knights shifting into position beside her.

But then, the door creaked open.

A young man stood there, hair messy and black, light purple eyes half-lidded with sleep or boredom. He wore a plain white T-shirt and loose black pants. His arms hung loosely by his sides as he blinked at her.

“Eh? You’re not room service. Where’s my double cheese pizza with stuffed crust?”

Valeriana froze mid-stare, then flushed faintly, realizing she still had her sword drawn.

She awkwardly sheathed it. “Ahem… my apologies. That was… reflex.”

The young man turned his head to the manager behind her. “Umm, you know my order.”

The manager and owner both stiffened. “It’s ready, sir. We’re bringing it right away!” they said, nearly tripping over themselves as they ran.

Valeriana cleared her throat, regaining her composure. “Mr. Zane Creed, I am Valeriana Azurecrest, Captain of Division Nine-Cipher-of the Valdoria Kingdom’s Investigation Unit. These are my knights. We have some questions regarding an ongoing case.”

Zane’s clone raised a brow, then casually stepped aside. “Alright. Come in.”

Valeriana entered the modest room, her gleaming silver armor clinking faintly as she moved. Her snow-white hair shimmered under the dim lighting, and her ocean-green eyes surveyed the clone sitting casually on the bed. Two armored knights stood just outside the door as she took her seat on the lone chair across from him.

Before she could speak, a knock came.

The inn manager stepped in awkwardly, holding a steaming box. “Your… pizza, sir.”

The clone’s eyes lit up as he took it. “Oh? This place surprisingly has pizza? Not bad.”

Valeriana blinked, confused. Pizza? Surprising? She fought the twitch in her brow. That’s a fairly common dish—only the smallest villages don’t have it. Why is he acting like it’s rare?

He flipped the lid open with a grin, the warm, freshly baked aroma wafting into the room. “Now then, what did you want to ask?” he said, picking up a slice and taking a bite.

Valeriana glanced at the pizza for a second longer than intended, then averted her gaze. No one knew, but she was a serious foodie. The scent was testing her restraint.

Clearing her throat, she began, “Mr. Zane, according to our records, you arrived in Eldrin just a few days ago. Is that correct?”

He nodded. “Exactly.”

She pulled out the town register and tapped on the name: Zane. “Please show me your citizen card.”

He shrugged, still chewing. “Well, I’m not really a citizen. I’m a traveler from the far East.”

“I see… Then show me your traveler card.”

He reached into his pocket and handed her the card Zane had specially prepared. Valeriana examined it carefully, then frowned.

“There’s a discrepancy,” she said. “Your name here is spelled Zayne, but the register says Zane.”

Raising an eyebrow, Zayne feigned surprise. “Huh. Maybe the gate guy made a mistake?”

Valeriana slowly nodded. “That’s possible… but we still need to authenticate it.”

She stood and called out to one of the knights waiting outside. “Take this to the gate knights. Confirm its authenticity and report back.”

The knight saluted and left swiftly.

Valeriana turned back toward Zayne, a flicker of suspicion in her gaze.

“We also received a report,” she said, “that you passed the adventurer exam with flying colors.”

Zayne smirked. “That’s right.”

She continued, her voice cooler now. “Apparently, during the test, you offended a noble’son… and his servant was seen chasing you afterward.”

Zayne mentally sighed. Main body, what the hell did you drag me into now…?

He replied aloud, still calm. “Is that so? I don’t recall offending anyone. But… what does that have to do with this?”

Valeriana leaned forward slightly. “The said noble’s son—he’s gone missing. He and his servant were last seen fleeing into the forest.”

Zayne shrugged mid-bite. “Unfortunate.”

At that moment, a subtle tremor shook the floor.

Valeriana’s head snapped up, alert. Zayne paused, letting his smirk tug at the corners of his mouth. He felt the surge of evil mana approaching from the forest.Here comes a scapegoat.Perfect timing.

“Well then,” he said, rising. “Doesn’t that answer your question? Noble child goes missing. Strange presence in the forest. Coincidence?”

Valeriana frowned. Something’s off about all this. I can’t place it… but something feels strange.

Just then, the knight returned, slightly out of breath. “Captain! A monster horde has attacked the town! The knights are already engaged. Also… the card you asked to verify—it’s completely authentic.”

Valeriana’s eyes flicked back to Zayne, who now wore a faint smirk.

“Well then, Captain Val,” he said smoothly. “Looks like I’m part of this now. Let’s find the culprit together.”

“Do not call me that,” she snapped. “But… you may assist.”

He grabbed another slice. “With pizza in hand and monsters on the way… what a day.”

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