Chapter 255: Investigating (2/2)
”When you're stronger than me, you get to decide,” Yurirl said in a flat tone. ”Otherwise, you're more of a peasant than I am.” After the display of strength, Yurirl turned to Arthur and gave his instructions.
”Answer to Jenny from now on. She'll brief you.”
Arthur nodded and Jenny stood up to leave the tower. He hurried to follow after her through the city's streets.
”Where are we going?” He asked as they walked through the crowd. ”What are the latest updates on the missing students?”
”Shut up until I say otherwise.” Jenny shot him down. ”Follow me, we have a score to settle.” She walked angrily toward Woodrock Street.
They entered Aba's Repairs shop and Jenny was holding the man's collar before he could greet them. She pulled him from behind the counter and slammed him to the wall.
”Any other information you've been hiding?” She grinned at him as he wheezed.
***
The torture, which Jenny named interrogation, lasted an hour. During that time, Jenny would threaten or 'politely' ask the owner for any information they might have missed.
After that, they were heading toward the forest. As it turns out, the owner reprimanded Jason for his dirty boots on that day. It raised both Arthur's and Jenny's suspicion since the day which he has disappeared only had theory classes.
This made them suspect the forest. Arthur was reminded of the cloaked man he had seen the day he enrolled, which proved the theory that something was going on in the forest.
”The forest can be dangerous today,” Arthur warned Jenny who simply glanced at him.
”For someone who killed Regan's son, you're a bit too cowardly.”
”I didn't kill anyone.” Arthur refuted. ”And I'm not cowardly, I'm cautious.”
”Does being cautious include not fighting back?” Jenny said without a change in her expression. ”Even if you were to lose, you should've done better than that. Unless...”
She allowed her voice to the trail and didn't say anything further as the two walked toward the forest. Arthur debated what he should tell her and decided to stay quiet. However, she smacked him on his arm.
”Don't ignore me.”
”I'm not, what do you expect me to say?” Arthur rubbed his arm.
”The truth.” Jenny spat. ”I don't vouch for cowards, weaklings are fine.”
”If I fought back at that time, it would have been worse,” Arthur answered and she nodded. The two walked through the gate and went toward the watchtower.
After asking the guards, they were provided with the logs of the student's entrances to the forest. On the day of the disappearance, Jason went into the forest.
”Should search the forest?” Arthur asked as they left the watchtower. ”Maybe we'll find some clues.” He was hoping to find the place the cloaked man went into.
”Not so cowardly now.” Jenny smiled. ”But no, we need to report this to Yurirl. It seems most of the missing students had something to do with the forest before they disappeared.”
”What's the next move then?”
”Well, if I know Yurirl well, it's an expedition toward the deeper parts of the forest.” Jenny grinned. ”This will be fun.” She began walking away toward the city.
”Shouldn't the college do this?” Arthur was confused. ”Unless...”
”The committee isn't only a bunch of students, but we represent our households or guilds. Jerano suspects that the missing students' issue has something to do with their staff.”
”There's a traitor?” Arthur was stunned. ”How come they couldn't weed him out yet?”
”It's impossible to do so. If you investigate anyone, you're offending their family or backing. This place is too political to function ideally.”
”What about the monocle we were tested with?”
”It doesn't work on the same person twice. That's its biggest flaw.” Jenny shrugged as Arthur fell into deep thought.
”Isn't there a guardian spirit for Jerano?”