The Psychopathic Beast Emperor

Bahamut and the others had retreated for the night. Apart from Bahamut’s findings, the rest found nothing. This brought up questions as to how he was able to do all that. This wasn’t a matter of his senses or any such thing. This was something else... experience. But Bahamut, or rather, the Bahamut they knew didn’t show those qualities. He was crazy, psychopathic, and the last person in the group to have investigation skills. To say they weren’t confused would be a lie, and they didn’t waste time to ask.

They were having dinner in the quarters that had been assigned to them by the prince, and it was very... hospitable. He didn’t assign them to something lavish as they were in the kingdom for a highly, secretive mission, but that didn’t mean he would give them just anything.

The residence Victor had prepared for them sat quietly in one of the less populated districts of Aurora. It wasn’t an inn, nor was it a noble estate. Rather, it was one of the many safe houses maintained by the royal family for confidential operations.

From the outside, it appeared to be nothing more than a large two-story townhouse built from smooth cream-colored stone, with dark wooden beams supporting its balconies. Ivy climbed lazily over portions of the outer walls, and lanterns hanging beneath the eaves bathed the courtyard in warm golden light. It blended so naturally with the neighboring houses that no one would suspect royalty had anything to do with it.

Inside, however, the difference became apparent. The floors were polished mahogany, soft carpets muffled footsteps, and every window had been enchanted with soundproofing and concealment arrays. Hidden runes glowed faintly under the walls whenever someone passed, forming a security network that monitored unauthorized intrusions.

The first floor contained a spacious dining room, kitchen, storage room, meeting hall, and several guest rooms for attendants. The second floor was reserved entirely for Bahamut’s group. Each member had been assigned their own bedroom. Bahamut’s room occupied the end of the hallway overlooking the rear garden, and directly opposite his was Sel’s. Lily had somehow managed to secure the room beside Bahamut before anyone else could even think about choosing. Exildra occupied the room opposite Lily, while Alana chose the room beside Exildra after making sure it wasn’t too far from Bahamut.

Gabi took the quietest corner room. Apollonia preferred the room closest to the rooftop access. The Black Fang Prodigy selected the room furthest from everyone else without saying a word. Ren... Ren had proudly declared he wanted "the biggest room," only to discover every room was exactly the same size.

"This is discrimination."

No one bothered responding.

...

Night had settled over Aurora. Outside, gentle rain began tapping softly against the windows. The investigation would resume at sunrise. For now, everyone needed food. The dining room was brightly lit, a long rectangular table standing at its center. The aroma of roasted meat, fresh bread, vegetable stew, grilled fish, herbs, and fruit filled the room.

Victor had clearly instructed the servants not to be stingy. The table was practically overflowing. Ren was already halfway through his third plate.

"I love humans."

"You are a human..." Bahamut muttered while looking at him with a gaze that promised pain.

"...For their food!" he hurriedly corrected after feeling several stares.

Lily giggled. "I was wondering where that sentence was going."

Ren ignored her and stuffed another roasted potato into his mouth.

"Mmff."

Gabi quietly ate beside him. Apollonia maintained her usual composed posture while eating with surprising elegance, though she stole glances at Sel once in a while. The Black Fang Prodigy barely touched her meal. She seemed far more interested in observing everyone else, especially Bahamut.

Bahamut ate normally. The room remained surprisingly quiet, and the atmosphere wasn’t uncomfortable. Rather, everyone was thinking. Today’s investigation had answered one question, only to create ten more. Eventually, Sel put down his utensils. The soft clink of metal against ceramic echoed throughout the room. That sound alone drew everyone’s attention. He looked directly at Bahamut.

"Can I ask something?"

Bahamut swallowed his food. "Shoot."

"How?" Sel folded his arms.

"How what?" Bahamut blinked.

"How did you do it?"

The room became even quieter. Sel continued.

"The golden particle, the tea, the witnesses, the questions. You noticed things none of us even thought about."

He wasn’t accusing Bahamut. He genuinely wanted to know.

"So..." Sel leaned forward slightly. "How?"

Everyone looked toward Bahamut, and even the Black Fang Prodigy’s eyes focused on him more intensely. Bahamut scratched the back of his head.

"Experience."

Everyone stared at him in silence and disbelief after his answer.

"Experience?" Lily asked in confusion.

"Yeah."

Exildra frowned. "But where would you even get investigation experience?"

Bahamut opened his mouth and stopped. That was a good question. His expression became strangely distant.

"...I..."

Fragments. They were all fragments of one of his past lives. A dark alley, yellow tape, people wearing uniforms, a notebook, questions, blood stains, footprints, and a voice saying, "Never assume. Observe first."

The memory vanished. Bahamut rubbed his forehead. He understood everything, but he wasn’t ready to tell them the whole truth... not yet. He looked towards Ren and the bunny shook his head faintly.

"I don’t know."

Sel frowned. "What do you mean you don’t know?"

"I mean..." Bahamut sighed. "It just felt... natural."

Everyone exchanged glances. Natural?

Bahamut continued.

"When I entered that room, I wasn’t thinking about what happened. I was thinking about what shouldn’t have happened."

No one interrupted him.

"If someone is kidnapped, they leave traces. If they don’t, then ask why."

He shrugged.

"The tea was still warm, the chair hadn’t moved, and the floor was clean. So instead of asking how they got in, I asked how they got out."

Gabi’s green eyes widened slightly.

"...I never would’ve thought like that."

Apollonia nodded once. "Neither would I."

"Interesting," The Black Fang Prodigy quietly rested her chin on one hand.

Bahamut looked at her. "What?"

"You investigate backwards," She smiled faintly beneath her veil.

"Huh?"

"Most people reconstruct events. You eliminate impossibilities. That’s... unusual."

"I just followed what made sense," Bahamut said matter-of-factly.

She didn’t answer. Instead, she quietly lowered her gaze. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around her cup. Those methods, they reminded her of someone. Someone who always annoyed her by solving problems she’d spent hours trying to understand. Someone who always said, "People lie. Evidence doesn’t."

Her father...

She stole another glance at Bahamut. He was arguing with Ren over who deserved the last roasted drumstick. Ren suddenly snatched the drumstick.

"I got it!"

"You little thief!"

Bahamut lunged across the table, but Ren transformed into his bunny form instantly, and the drumstick disappeared into his mouth before Bahamut could catch him.

Everyone stared at them, then Lily burst into laughter. Exildra shook her head helplessly, and even Apollonia smiled faintly. The tension that had gripped the room since arriving in Solaria finally eased. Only the Black Fang Prodigy remained silent. Her hand rested unconsciously over her chest. Her heartbeat refused to calm down.

"Who... are you really?" she wondered, watching Bahamut bicker with Ren like nothing in the world mattered.