Cassian and Lucy stepped out of the carriage, both stifling yawns as they glanced up at the Beacon of Knowledge. Dark circles beneath their eyes hinted at the sleepless night, yet their smiles were undeniably bright, brimming with satisfaction and excitement.
They both knew the reason for their fatigue—and for the grins they couldn't quite hide. They'd shared each other's company all through the night, leaving traces of their passion in nearly every corner of the hotel room.
With a smirk and a touch of embarrassment, Lucy muttered, "The poor person who has to clean that room… probably won't be too thrilled."
"If they're not a prude, they might even enjoy the view," Cassian said with a smirk, clearly unbothered, as if the evidence of their night together was a badge of honor.
Meanwhile, back in their room, Lucy's hunch was spot-on. The first person to enter after they'd left was clearly disgusted but wasn't a cleaning staff member—it was Cassian's senior, Cassandra Shiam. Her nose wrinkled as she took in the state of the room: rumpled sheets, the faint musk of their hours-long passion lingering in the air, and unmistakable stains spotting the bed. Shaking her head, Cassandra murmured in a surprised tone, "They… were really having sex?"
The thought visibly rattled her, but curiosity kept her rooted in place for a moment longer.
Cassandra had been secretly trailing Cassian all evening, even booking the room next to his to keep tabs on him. However, to her surprise, the hotel's soundproofing had been remarkably effective. Assuming Lucy, who looked old enough to be Cassian's mother, would simply spend a quiet evening with him, Cassandra hadn't expected much more than casual conversation. Now, though, the state of the room left her shocked—and even more bewildered.
"Is she… a prostitute?" Cassandra muttered, baffled by the idea that a woman Lucy's age would spend the night in such an intimate way with someone as young as Cassian.
"Ugh, this is so confusing," she groaned, frustrated as she quickly exited before the hotel staff came in. But now, her interest in Cassian was piqued, and she was more determined than ever to understand why Astraval Killian seemed so invested in keeping tabs on him.
Cassian's excitement faded to disappointment upon learning Lady Katherine wouldn't be needing his massage again today. 'I was looking forward to having more fun with her...' he thought, making his way back to his quarters for a break.
Still, reflecting on the previous night lifted his spirits—he'd done plenty with Lucy, things he could see himself repeating in the future. That thought alone was enough to shake off his disappointment about missing out on time with Katherine.
The rest of his day passed in restful sleep, and the following days settled into a steady routine. Cassian threw himself into training, sparring with various partners and soon racking up ten matches—losing three but winning seven, thanks to the hours he'd spent practicing against the shadows of those seven opponents.
Meanwhile, the murder case had gone somewhat cold, giving him extra free time. He used it to hunt for opportunities to fight a one-star monster solo, hoping to prove himself, though he hadn't yet found a scenario that would allow him to face even one.
He also got to know Cassandra better, as the investigation team spent significant time together. Through their conversations, Cassian learned that Cassandra was a noble from a fallen kingdom, forced to flee here after her family was killed during its collapse.
"Lumine was even younger than you when I brought her here. It was... hard on her," Cassandra mentioned quietly as they continued their work.
Cassian nodded with a sympathetic look. He hadn't spoken to Lumine much since she'd lost to him in their duel. He'd tried to strike up conversation a few times, but she always brushed him off. While he felt empathy knowing her difficult past, he was also relieved she hadn't told her sister he'd stolen her first kiss.
As Cassian and Cassandra continued their patrol, their conversation naturally shifted from personal matters back to the investigation. They visited a few witnesses, gathering bits and pieces of scattered information, mostly rumors and vague observations. It felt like another dead end until they came across an older carriage driver who had just returned to the city.
The driver, a rugged man with a weathered face and a cautious demeanor, seemed hesitant but ultimately willing to share what he knew. "The family that was killed… they moved here from a village just outside the city," he explained, scratching his beard thoughtfully. "They'd had enough of the troubles there, and I was the one who brought them into the city. Not many are willing to travel that route—it's dangerous, full of monsters and bandits. But I've been doing it for years."
Cassian exchanged a glance with Cassandra, sensing this could be a valuable lead. "Did they mention why they were leaving the village?" he asked, keeping his tone respectful but curious.
"The usual reasons—they say it's not safe, hard to make a living," the man explained, pausing with a slight smile before continuing, "But they also mentioned that someone helped cover their travel expenses and accommodations to get here. And believe me, the cost is steep. My travel fees alone could feed my family for half a year. Whoever funded their journey paid me double to make sure they got here safely."
Cassandra raised an eyebrow and remarked, "I can see why you'd be a trusted carriage driver through dangerous areas. Being a Circle Warrior, those lower-level monsters must seem like mere chickens to you." Her comment surprised Cassian, who hadn't realized this older man was so skilled.
"Putting that aside," Cassandra went on, "do you have any idea who financed their move to the city?"
The man looked regretful and shook his head. "Unfortunately, I don't. But some of the villagers where the family used to live might know."
Cassandra fell silent for a few moments, then turned to Cassian with a smile. "Alright, Cassian, go ahead and pack your things—we're heading out on a little trip."