CHAPTER 1B

At the Imperial Palace – Interrogation Bureau

The Assistant Royal Commander reports the matter of the theft to the Royal Commandant.

Assistant Royal Commander: (Showing him a sample of the sedative used in the crime) Here's our evidence, Commandant.

Royal Commandant: (Takes the cloth where the powder is sprinkled) Hm. (To an Elven-Soldier) Get the Noble Apothecary.

Elven-Soldier: Yes, Commander in Chief. (Exits.)

Royal Commandant: We must verify the facts.

Assistant Royal Commander: (Nods) Agreed.

Noble Apothecary: (Entering) You requested me, Commandant?

Royal Commandant: Yes. (Hands over the cloth) Please test this powder.

With a respectful nod and sleeve adjustment, the Apothecary sprinkles the powder into a green liquid. It slowly turns white.

Noble Apothecary: Indeed, it matches prior samples—but slightly stronger. This substance not only induces sleep but also renders the victim temporarily mute and forgetful of recent events. May I ask—same source?

Royal Commandant: Yes, it is. A new weapon... but surely dangerous.

Assistant Royal Commander: Only one person deals in items like this. But I doubt he’s in the city.

Royal Commandant: (A soft ring echoes in his mind.)

The Voice: Seek.

Royal Commandant: Gather some men.

Assistant Royal Commander: Yes, Commandant.

As he’s about to leave, a soldier enters.

Elven-Soldier: Commander in Chief. (Salutes) The Elflord requests your presence.

Royal Commandant: I hear you. You may go. (He exits.) (To his second) Go with the men. Report upon return.

Assistant Royal Commander: Yes, sir. (Salutes and leaves.)

Early at dawn, at Bob’s Shop

The soldiers arrive.

Assistant Royal Commander: (Flashes an official scroll at Bob) By order of the Interrogation Guild, we are here to question you.

Bob: Yeah, yeah, state your business and leave.

They show him a sketch of the Masked Thief.

Assistant Royal Commander: Do you know this elf?

Bob places down the metal he’s fixing and stares at the sketch—and then into the Commander's eyes.

Bob: What does the Masked Thief have to do with me?

Assistant Royal Commander: (Sitting) Oh, I believe—plenty.

He lays the cloth with the powder on the wooden slab.

Bob: What’s that?

Assistant Royal Commander: I should ask you. (Bob raises a brow.) It’s the famous sedative your masked friend uses. Rare and precise. And when it’s rare—you come to mind.

Bob: You're quite certain. Why not arrest me?

Assistant Royal Commander: We know the Thief is female. And being the most wanted criminal, she chooses her allies... carefully. (Smirks.)

Bob: (Heaves) Smart.

Assistant Royal Commander: (Rising) Let’s make it easy.

A soldier places a pouch of ruby coins on the slab.

Assistant Royal Commander: That should clear things up.

Bob: I don’t want your coins. I’ll protect what I know.

Assistant Royal Commander: (Trying to remain calm) Look—you love possessions. Here’s your chance.

Bob: Hss. Some things are more important than wealth. I know the Masked Thief. But her secrets won’t come from me. If there's nothing else, leave my shop.

Assistant Royal Commander: (Slams the slab) Listen, Ithnil—!

Just then, the elf who knocked down Elva’s snacks walks up.

Elf: Wait. May I see that sketch again? I think I recognize her. (Feigning innocence.)

They show him the sketch. Recalling Elva’s face, he nods.

Elf: I see a resemblance. I even know her location.

Assistant Royal Commander: Well, now you’re speaking my language. Lead the way.

Elf: [She’s not the criminal—but I know they’ll interrogate her painfully. That’s enough for me.]

He leads the soldiers away.

At the Imperial Palace – Throne Room

Elflord: (To his Senior Attendant) Where is my eldest son, Rupert?

Senior Attendant: He is meditating, Regal Elflord.

In a noble chamber, the eldest Imperial Prince sits cross-legged on a gem mat, meditating. His face is hidden—only his pink lips visible—as he struggles to connect with a being in the spirit realm.

Meanwhile, Elva is beneath her house in an underground residence tidying up. Suddenly, she feels weak and dizzy.

Elva: (Falls beside a table) Not again...

Above, the soldiers arrive at her residence.

Assistant Royal Commander: (Suspicious) There’s nothing here. Are you tricking us?

Elf: No—I swear! She entered and never came out. I even marked the door.

That proof calms his suspicion.

Assistant Royal Commander: We’re dealing with criminals. They’ll have a hidden area. Search harder!

Elven-Soldiers: Yes, Commander!

They scour every corner. One discovers a trapdoor.

Elven-Soldier: Second-in-Command! I found something!

They descend into the tunnel. Elva, hiding in shadows, breathes quietly, trying to stay conscious.

Elva: (Sneers) Hunting offenders, are we? [I need to get out of here.]

She creeps toward an exit—but her body fails her. She collapses. They find her, lift her by the arms, and compare her face to the sketch.

Assistant Royal Commander: (Lifts her chin) Same eyes. Same mole. Care to explain?

Elva: [Darn, I forgot to hide the mole] (Pleading) Please help me...

Assistant Royal Commander: [She looks innocent...] (To a soldier) Take her to the Royal Examine Castle. She’s an ally of the Masked Thief.

Elva: No—I’m not! Judge me properly!

Her pleading eyes trouble the soldiers.

Assistant Royal Commander: Still... (Persuaded) Treat her.

Elven-Soldier: Yes, Commander!

Assistant Royal Commander: Why run if you’re innocent?

Elva: (Losing strength) You... chased me... I’m... innocent...

Another Soldier: Lies. Sir, I found this.

He presents a brown-wrapped leaf. Elva panics. They unwrap it—revealing the Masked Thief’s outfit.

Elven-Soldier: This... (Glances at Elva) This ælfen can’t really be...

He stops.

Assistant Royal Commander: (Smiling) As naughty as ever. (Kneels before her) Still want to explain?

Elva: (Weak, angry) Get lost.

Assistant Royal Commander: (Smiles wider) It’s really you. What a glorious outcome. (To soldiers) Take her.

They return to the main cabin. The elf is rewarded by the Assistant Royal Commander.

Narrator:

Oh dear, what will become of the female lead? Will she be executed—as custom demands? Or will some phenomenon prevent tragedy from falling upon her?

All will be discovered in the next chapter.

NOTE: Wendi is an Elven word for girl.

Ælfen is an Elven word for female.

'[]' is used to indicate thoughts.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***