Halochassis

Chapter 43 - A Detective’s Afternoon

It had been an exhausting day. By the time Croft finally returned to her office at the Imperial Police headquarters, the sun had already dipped low behind the skyline, painting the city outside in warm shades of orange and crimson. The fading sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the polished wooden floor. The once-busy hallways had grown quiet, leaving only the distant footsteps of officers finishing their shifts and the faint rustling of papers from nearby offices. The comforting silence was a welcome change after spending the entire day navigating the chaotic streets of the slums.

Croft closed the office door behind her and removed her brown detective's coat, hanging it neatly on the wooden coat rack beside the entrance. She placed her familiar fedora on the desk with practiced care before lowering herself into her chair. The soft leather creaked beneath her weight as she leaned back and let out a long, exhausted sigh.

"Haaaah..."

She ran her fingers through her short brown hair, brushing away the loose strands clinging to her forehead. Her shoulders ached from walking for hours, and her legs still carried the lingering fatigue of chasing dead ends across the city. After a brief moment of closing her eyes, she lifted her gaze toward the bulletin board mounted on the wall in front of her.

The board had become the centerpiece of her office over the past several months. Every piece of intelligence related to the mysterious Halochassis had been carefully organized there. Four photographs of the massive power armors were pinned side by side, each connected by strings and handwritten notes. Beside every image was a large question mark, a constant reminder that despite countless investigations, no one had discovered the identities of the people hidden beneath those armored shells.

The more Croft studied them, the more frustrated she became.

The only reliable information gathered so far suggested that Azazel was the leader of the four Halochassis. Whoever piloted that black machine appeared to command the others during every recorded encounter. Beyond that, the four armors were believed to belong to the notorious Iron Bandits, a criminal organization that had become increasingly bold throughout the Empyrea Continent.

Her eyes drifted to another collection of documents pinned nearby.

The Iron Bandits operated in scattered cells across the continent, making them incredibly difficult to eradicate. Here in Luminous City, their most prominent leader was believed to be the rogue knight, Adzeel Schwarzer. Reports described him as a charismatic commander capable of gathering loyal followers despite being branded a criminal. Intelligence also suggested that the Iron Bandits maintained a secret headquarters somewhere within the sprawling slums. Unfortunately, the slums were a maze of narrow alleys, abandoned buildings, and hidden passages. Searching every corner without provoking the local gangs was nearly impossible.

Directly beneath the Halochassis investigation was another section dedicated to the seven Celestial Wardens. Their portraits were arranged in a straight line, each representing one of the empire's greatest heroes. One photograph immediately stood out.

Cattleo Vi Examillenia's picture had been crossed out with thick red ink.

Next to it hung the portrait of Zerova. Unlike the others, hers had a massive question mark drawn across it, surrounded by circles, arrows, and hastily written notes. More than anyone else, she remained the greatest mystery.

Croft rested her chin on her folded hands as she stared at Zerova's picture.

As of this moment, tracking the Shadow Queen had become her highest priority. Multiple witnesses claimed they had seen Zerova entering the slums several days ago. Acting on those reports, Croft had spent the entire day wandering through the district in plain clothes, deliberately avoiding her detective attire. The air there had been thick with smoke from cheap cooking stoves, mixed with the unpleasant scent of sewage and damp stone. Every alley echoed with suspicious whispers and cautious footsteps. Curious eyes constantly followed her from broken windows and dark corners, forcing her to remain alert every second. She wanted information, not a fight, and drawing attention to herself would only drive away potential witnesses.

During her search, she even visited the Assassin's Guild hidden deep within the slums. The dimly lit building smelled of old wood, tobacco, and iron, while hooded figures silently observed every newcomer. The young guild receptionist informed her that Zerova had recently accepted a mission from an unnamed scholar. Afterward, the two supposedly traveled even deeper into the slums before disappearing completely.

That single clue only raised even more questions.

Croft could not determine who this mysterious scholar was. Luminous City housed numerous prestigious academies, attracting scholars, professors, researchers, and wealthy intellectuals from across the continent. The description was simply too vague to narrow down a suspect.

Still, one detail continued to bother her.

Hiring an assassin of Zerova's caliber would require an enormous amount of money. Ordinary citizens could never afford such a contract. Whoever this scholar was, they almost certainly possessed considerable wealth, influence, or both.

Her thoughts drifted toward another investigation that had haunted her for the past three years.

A string of brutal murders targeting dukes and duchesses had shaken the empire. Every victim had been killed with terrifying precision, leaving almost no evidence behind. The methods were so clean and professional that Croft had long suspected Zerova's involvement. The timing, the execution, and the impossible escape routes all pointed toward an assassin of extraordinary skill.

Yet suspicion alone meant nothing.

There was not a single piece of concrete evidence connecting Zerova to those murders. Worse still, Zerova happened to be one of Lireina's trusted friends. Accusing her without undeniable proof could create unnecessary conflict with one of the empire's strongest heroeines. It was a dangerous situation, forcing Croft to tread carefully with every decision she made.

"I'm at a dead end!" Croft groaned, scratching the back of her head in frustration. She leaned forward until her forehead nearly touched the desk before letting out another tired sigh. "I can't venture any deeper into the slums without causing trouble. Maybe I'll ask Shin for help. If anyone might recognize this mysterious scholar, it'd probably be him."

Accepting that she would make no further progress tonight, Croft decided to set work aside.

She walked to the small cabinet in the corner of her office and prepared herself a cup of tea. The kettle soon began to whistle, filling the room with soft steam carrying the soothing fragrance of freshly brewed leaves. She poured the hot tea into a porcelain cup and wrapped both hands around it, welcoming the gentle warmth against her tired fingers. Taking a slow sip, she closed her eyes for a brief moment, allowing the calming taste to wash away some of the day's exhaustion.

Then came three deliberate knocks.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Croft lowered her teacup onto its saucer.

"Come in," she called calmly.

The doorknob turned, and the heavy wooden door slowly creaked open.

Standing on the other side was a breathtakingly beautiful elf with long golden-blonde hair that shimmered in the fading evening light. Her elegant pointed ears peeked through her silky hair, and a gentle smile rested on her lips as though she hadn't a single worry in the world. Even before speaking, her graceful presence seemed to brighten the otherwise quiet office.

"Good afternoon, Croft. Busy?" Lireina asked as she gently pushed the office door open. The warm glow of the evening sun framed her golden-blonde hair, making it shimmer like spun gold. Her cheerful smile brightened the room far more than the fading sunlight ever could.

"Nope." Croft leaned back in her chair, lazily lifting her teacup for another sip. The fragrant steam curled past her face as she motioned toward the empty chair across the desk. "Come in and help yourself, Lena."

"Right."

Lireina skipped inside with light, energetic steps, her long hair swaying behind her. She pulled out the chair and sat down, humming happily to herself before pouring a cup of tea from the still-warm kettle. The soothing aroma of brewed tea soon filled the office, blending with the faint scent of old books and polished wood.

Croft narrowed her eyes at her friend before a mischievous grin slowly spread across her face.

"So," she began, resting her chin on one hand, "how was your hiking date?"

The question hit its mark instantly.

Lireina's fair cheeks bloomed crimson, and her smile stretched so wide it looked as though she could barely contain herself. She clasped both hands together in excitement, practically bouncing in her seat.

"Shin and I..." she said with a dreamy sigh. "We're in a romantic relationship now."

She couldn't hold it in any longer and burst into a fit of delighted giggles.

"I know that already," Croft replied flatly before taking another calm sip of tea.

"What?"

Lireina's emerald eyes widened in disbelief.

"But we only became a couple yesterday! You're the first person I've told!"

Croft stared at her for several silent seconds before pinching the bridge of her nose.

"The hell were you two doing before that?" she asked, sounding genuinely baffled. "Those nightly dinners you've been having for the past month weren't dates?"

Lireina scratched her burning cheek with an awkward laugh.

"Umm... they were dates?" she answered uncertainly before tilting her head. "Wait... aren't people supposed to become a couple after several dates? I don't really know much about human romance."

Croft let out a long, defeated sigh.

"Well... I guess that's a fair excuse." She shook her head with a faint smile. "Stay innocent, Lena."

"Hehe..."

Lireina scratched the back of her head shyly, but her embarrassed smile gradually turned playful.

"Although..." she whispered, leaning closer across the desk, "I don't think I'm quite as innocent as you think."

Croft raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

Lireina's ears turned bright red as she lowered her voice even further.

"We... kind of skipped straight to third base."

Croft nearly choked on her tea.

After coughing several times, she slowly placed the teacup back onto its saucer before smirking.

"Hoho... so the Untouchable Windwalker has finally been touched."

"D-Don't say that out loud!"

Lireina buried her face in both hands, her pointed ears burning scarlet while Croft laughed at her expense.

The office soon echoed with lighthearted laughter.

With nobody else around to overhear them, the two women slipped into one of their usual private conversations. Lireina, still flushed with embarrassment, found herself answering Croft's endless teasing questions about Shin. Before long, the conversation drifted toward playful gossip and harmlessly perverted girl talk. Lireina repeatedly tried to hide her face behind her teacup whenever Croft made another teasing remark, while Croft couldn't resist poking fun at her hopelessly lovestruck friend. Their laughter filled the once-quiet office, making the long day of investigations feel much lighter.

Time slipped away unnoticed.

Outside the windows, the last traces of sunset disappeared beyond the rooftops of Luminous City, leaving the streets illuminated by rows of glowing mana lamps. The office gradually grew darker until only the warm orange light from the ceiling fixtures remained.

Seeing the late hour, Croft finally stood and stretched.

"Looks like it's time to clock out."

"For today, at least," Lireina replied with a smile.

As had become their routine, the two left the Imperial Police headquarters together and walked toward one of the inexpensive neighborhood bistros they frequently visited. The evening streets bustled with workers heading home, merchants closing their stalls, and the delicious aromas of grilled meat, fresh bread, and simmering stew drifting through the cool night air.

Lireina's weekly schedule had become surprisingly predictable.

Whenever Shin wasn't available, she usually had dinner with Croft. On other evenings, she would spend time with Shin instead, enjoying their growing relationship. Occasionally, rookie adventurers invited her to meals after training sessions, eager to hear stories and receive advice from one of the empire's greatest heroes. There were also times when she dined with Saint Elwyn or Zerova, though those opportunities had become increasingly rare. Saint Elwyn had been overwhelmed with official duties, while Zerova had mysteriously vanished without leaving any trace.

After finishing their meal, Croft walked to the counter and ordered an oversized burger to go.

Lireina tilted her head curiously.

"Still bringing dinner to your dad?"

"Yeah." Croft smiled faintly. "If I don't, he'll probably forget to eat again."

The two friends left the bistro and headed toward Stonehill District.

<><><><><>

The district never truly slept.

Even at night, the streets echoed with the rhythmic pounding of massive hammers striking glowing metal. Bright orange sparks burst from countless open workshops, illuminating the stone roads like miniature fireworks. The air was thick with the smell of burning coal, molten iron, and machine oil, while waves of heat rolled out from towering furnaces. Heavy gears turned continuously, steam hissed from intricate machinery, and carts loaded with freshly forged materials rumbled across the streets.

Dwarves bustled everywhere.

Some carried enormous steel beams across their shoulders as though they weighed nothing. Others hammered away at unfinished machines or carefully inspected magical engines under the light of enchanted lanterns. Working twenty hours a day was perfectly normal for dwarves. Their naturally powerful physiques and incredible endurance allowed them to maintain a pace that would exhaust almost any other race.

Among the countless engineers directing the workshops stood Croft's father.

Like most dwarves, he was considerably shorter than a human but broad-shouldered and muscular, with soot covering his rugged face and thick beard. Even during his break, he remained surrounded by stacks of blueprints and half-finished mechanical parts.

Croft approached him with the paper bag in her hands.

"Here, Dad." She held out the still-warm burger with a gentle smile. "Please don't forget to eat this time."

The dwarf looked up from his work, his tired expression immediately softening.

"Thank you, Croft."

He accepted the burger with both hands, and the delicious smell of grilled beef escaped as he opened the wrapper.

"I'll make sure to head home around five in the morning."

Croft sighed, already knowing that "five in the morning" counted as an early night for her father. Still, seeing him finally take a large bite out of the burger instead of skipping another meal was enough to ease her worries, if only a little. Beside her, Lireina smiled quietly, warmed by the familiar family moment amid the constant clang of hammers and the fiery glow of Stonehill District's endless forges.

"Don't overwork yourself, Dad," Croft said, folding her arms as she watched him unwrap the burger. Her voice carried the familiar mixture of concern and resignation that came from repeating the same warning countless times.

Around them, the deafening clang of hammers striking steel echoed through Stonehill District, accompanied by the roar of blazing furnaces and the steady hiss of escaping steam. The orange glow of molten metal danced across their faces, making the entire workshop seem alive.

Engineer Croft let out a hearty laugh that easily rose above the noise. He took a huge bite of the burger before proudly flexing one muscular arm, the veins bulging beneath soot-covered skin.

"I'm still strong," he declared with complete confidence. "I can lift fifty steel pillars before midnight without breaking a sweat."

He struck another exaggerated pose before turning toward Lireina with a broad grin.

"Don't you agree, Miss Lireina?"

Both Croft and her father looked toward the elven heroine, expecting her usual cheerful response.

Instead, Lireina stood perfectly still.

Her emerald eyes were fixed on the towering Stonehill Building that dominated the district skyline. Even under the darkness of night, the enormous structure stood proudly above the surrounding workshops, its countless windows glowing with warm golden light. Workers and merchants entered and exited through the grand front entrance while cargo elevators continuously hauled materials to the upper floors. The entire establishment bustled with activity despite the late hour.

The owner of the massive complex was Garruk Stonehill.

As one of the wealthiest businessmen in Luminous City, Garruk had commissioned the best engineers, including Croft's father and his dwarven crew to oversee yet another large-scale expansion of the already enormous establishment. Construction had continued day and night for weeks, with new sections of the building slowly taking shape amid forests of scaffolding and towering cranes.

It had been nearly three months since Lireina had last seen Garruk in person.

According to rumors, the influential businessman had secluded himself inside his own building, devoting nearly all of his attention to a series of confidential projects. Nobody outside his inner circle seemed to know exactly what those projects involved. Some claimed he was expanding his commercial empire, while others whispered about secret dealings conducted far from the public eye.

Normally, such rumors would never hold Lireina's attention.

This time, however, Garruk's mysterious business was not what had captured her gaze.

It was something else.

Something she couldn't explain.

A faint chill crept down her spine despite the intense heat pouring from the nearby furnaces. Her pointed ears twitched almost imperceptibly, instinctively reacting to a sensation that only grew stronger with each passing second. The lively sounds surrounding her gradually faded into the background as an uncomfortable pressure settled deep within her chest.

She had experienced this feeling once before.

At the Northern Fortress.

Back then, everything had appeared perfectly peaceful moments before disaster struck. There had been no obvious warning, no visible enemy, no sign that anything was wrong. Yet the same indescribable uneasiness had lingered in the air, quietly whispering that something terrible was about to happen.

Now that same sensation had returned.

Lireina slowly narrowed her eyes as she continued staring at the Stonehill Building. Workers laughed while carrying steel beams. Dwarven engineers shouted instructions from the scaffolding. Sparks burst into the night sky as blacksmiths continued forging metal without pause. To everyone else, it was simply another ordinary evening in Stonehill District.

Everything looked completely normal.

And yet...

Every instinct within her screamed that something was wrong.

She couldn't see it.

She couldn't hear it.

She couldn't even identify where the feeling was coming from.

It was merely a quiet warning buried deep within her heart, one that refused to disappear no matter how hard she tried to dismiss it.

Her ears twitched once more.

Something bad was coming.

She didn't know what it was.

She only knew that tonight would not remain peaceful for long.