Prelude to Deduction

Ladies and gentlemen, sorry for keeping you waiting! Welcome to the Castle of the Victoria Family.

I'm Nyla, Head Maid of the Victoria Family. I'll be responsible for everything you need during the ball.

Now you may either follow our maids to your room or take a tour in the castle!

Wow, it's as magnificent as it's said to be. No wonder it's called the ''Golden Castle''.

I thought the Golden Castle was built with gold. But it doesn't seem about right. I was planning to experience...

You dummy! However rich you are, it would be a huge waste of money to build a castle with gold. You were imagining aristocratic life from the perspective of an ordinary person.

Records say that the Victorian Family used to be the royal family of the Kingdom of Augustine before the Crystal Calamity.

Before the Calamity, the Church of Augustus followed the order of Augustus to build a huge shelter called ''Bird Cage'', which saved a lot of people and helped the church win the hearts of the people.

By far, the former kingdom has been destroyed by the Calamity. The last king, Nicholas I, took the opportunity to abdicate and handed over secular power to the Church of Augustus.

The Augustine Empire, which was held in the hands of the Pope, was thus established, and the Victorian Family continued to engage in political and military affairs as the most powerful aristocrat.

Legend has it that when the Victorian Family abdicated, they transferred a huge amount of gold and treasures to the newly built castle; hence the name Golden Castle.

Wow, I knew there would be treasures in the castle! Awakener, we've got some treasure-hunting to do!

Even if there are treasures, we as the guests are not supposed to take them away.

I heard that ''gold'' stems from an important figure in the history of the Victorian Family, that is, the great merchant Gordon Victoria, nicknamed ''Gold''.

Legend has it that amid a dynastic succession, Gordon donated the gold mine that his family had been running for generations to the Pope, in exchange for the support of the Church of Augustus for the Victoria Family.

Gordon took the opportunity to become the king of Augustine, and his family was henceforth called the Golden Family.

This explanation sounds more reasonable...

But it's just a rumor that is more popular with the public.

Gold'' comes from the Victoria Family's motto: ''As eternal as gold.'' The motto is aimed to warn its family members to always maintain their dignity and irreplaceable perfection.

Audrey! Thank you for inviting us to the ball.

The honor is ours. Thank you for traveling such a long way to attend the ball.

Holding a ball has been a tradition of the Victorian Family since ancient times. We invite personages from all over the world to our castle in hopes that they can resolve their conflicts and befriend each other through dancing.

Seven years have passed since the last ball. Now I'm about twenty and will soon officially take over the position as the matriarch.

So I've decided to take this opportunity to restore the tradition and provide a peaceful and friendly stage for communication amid the turbulent world.

During the ball, I hope that you could shelve your disputes and forget about your job; instead, start to appreciate each other's merits and enjoy the dance and music.

The first ball will kick off tonight. You may walk around in the daytime and we will be at your service.

Hooray! Applause!

It'd be nice if it were true. What a shame...

General Mori!

Lord Awakener, please follow me to your room.

Okay, thanks. Eriri, I'll see you soon!

Lord Awakener, remember our agreement?

You are not only a guest but a detective hired by the Victoria Family.

Hmm, I remember, of course. But as I see it, the guards and maids of the castle suffice to ensure the safety of the ball.

I don't think I can be of any help.

As the host, we cannot pry into the privacy of our guests. Besides, anyone with ulterior motives will inevitably be wary of us.

So Awakener, you just need to secretly protect us without revealing who you are working for.

It would be best if nothing happens at the ball. But even in that case, we will pay you the due amount.

I don't care about pay because Audrey and Nyla are both friends of mine. It's a pleasure to be able to join the ball with you guys.

I hope everything will be fine. But... there seems to be something going on in the castle lately.

What happened here?

Perhaps it's my sixth sense as the Head Maid. I somehow feel like everyone is hiding something from me. This is the first time I had this feeling in years.

Miss Nyla, are you suspecting that there are spies in the castle?

I'm just suspecting... Since I went out to receive the guests, I feel like my job has been assigned to someone else.

Isn't that great?

Not at all! As the Head Maid, how am I supposed to ensure the safety of the ball if I'm not in charge?

I didn't know you are such a workaholic...

I'll give you an example. This morning, my 5:00 a.m. alarm didn't sound for some reason. When I woke up, Miss Audrey had already started preparing for the reception work!

Could it be you who turned off the alarm because of tiredness?

Quite unlikely, because I set six alarms!

If it were me, that would be totally possible, however many alarms I set...

Anyway, please help me out, Detective Awakener!

But why me, Miss Nyla? Is it because I did an excellent job in the patrol mission?

Because I can tell that other guests would be very busy at the ball. I'm afraid they won't have time by then...

Turns out it's because I'm unpopular...

... Now it's time for some music. Please allow me to lead the first dance.

I would like to introduce my dance partner, Miss Nyla, the Head Maid of the Victoria Family!

Thank you, my lord!

Please hold your partner's hand as well. The ball is about to start in a second!

Miss Nyla looks great in her evening dress!

Miss Eriri, would you mind being my dance partner?

Ah, Snezhana, I don't have a reason to refuse.

Captain, have you found your dance partner?

That would be you, Sova!

Well, excuse me for being a clumsy dancer. So I would skip the first dance and learn from you from aside.

Didn't you do your homework, Awakener?

Well, it's okay, Captain. I'm fine with it...

There are plenty of people who crave to be Sova's dance partner. Let's go and leave this dummy alone!

Oops, I feel like I have missed something...

Alas, forget it. I've got work to do.

Awakener!

Miss Nyla, this evening dress of yours looks nice.

Thank you! I'm flattered by Audrey's invitation to a dance.

Thank you. How is the ball going?

Huh, it's okay. The ball is going on pretty well, and the maids of the Victoria Family have been doing a great job.

The guests are getting along. I don't think there is anything to worry about.

Good. I will take over your work after changing my outfit...

Would you mind some more dances, Miss Nyla? I've been waiting.

Miss Pan Pan from Eastrise?

You look gorgeous tonight. Would you fulfill this little wish of mine?

I don't have a reason to refuse... All right then. Let's have a dance, Miss Pan Pan.

Great! I knew you wouldn't let me down, Miss Nyla!

Hold on for a second. I'll be right back... Awakener, would you mind staying on the job for a little longer?

Miss Pan Pan's invitation seems deliberate... I think her Eastrise-style cheongsam is more eye-catching than my dress.

I'll work on it. But you've got to be more confident with how beautiful you are, Miss Nyla.

Jealous? Miss Nyla the superstar will be my dancing partner today.

Miss Pan Pan, thanks for your invitation.

It's my honor to be dancing with the world's best maid.

(Where's Awakener now?)

Where should I start then?

Pierrot doesn't seem to have a dance partner either. I'd better go and ask her.

Pierrot! Are you a waiter at the ball?

Awakener! Why don't you go dancing?

Well, I'm not really good at it. I'm more interested in what you are eating.

Let me pour you a cup of wine then. But don't eat too many snacks and desserts yet.

Why? It would make me feel sick when dancing, right?

Nope. Let me tell you a secret. I saw a delicious cake in the kitchen this morning, which was delivered from Eastrise through cold chain.

It will probably be served pretty soon.

What's the cake about?

I heard it was a birthday gift to Miss Audrey from those Eastrise guests.

You mean Pan Pan and others?

Exactly. I was pretty mad at it.

Why would we order a cake from Eastrise, now that we have our own cafeteria? Could it be that Audrey is dissatisfied with my job?

But I don't mind anymore when I heard that the cake was made by Miss Kuri, the cake expert from Grace the Yorozuya in Eastrise. Now I just want to have a taste of the cake...

... Finally, I've done dancing with Miss Pan Pan. People are so enthusiastic about dancing with me.

Thank you, Awakener!

A cake from Eastrise? I have no idea.

Seems someone is deliberately hiding it from me... but what's the point?

By the way, Miss Kuri is widely known for her Fūri Cake. I had the privilege of tasting it once during the New Year break.

But as far as I know, Kuri... seems to be better known as a bomb expert.

I remember hearing her say that she would perform patrol missions with the store owner...

This isn't good. There may be a bomb in that cake! Someone within the castle conspires with her to create a terrorist attack at the ball!

Seems there is a need to probe deeper into it. Miss Nyla, someone has come to invite you to dance.

No. I've got to refuse this time.

Even I don't have the honor?

Lord Horus!

Do you have something more important to do than dance with me, Miss Nyla? What a pity...

That's not the case. A diplomatic incident is something I never want to see!

Don't force yourself, Miss Nyla.

Not at all. Awakener, would you mind?

(Does Horus come by accident or on purpose?)

Whoa, Horus and Nyla!

It's not easy to meet with Nyla, and yet I don't get to dance with her.

We should share beautiful things with guests from coming afar.

Miss Nyla, please lead the dance.

Miss Nyla, what are you worried about?

Thank you for your concern, Lord Horus.

Not at all, Miss Nyla. Awakener is a companion worthy of trust. I'll protect Awakener in secret too.

Lieutenant General Mori!

Awakener, calling someone by her military title at a ball would be a killjoy!

Sorry... but I seem to have heard something you said during the reception ceremony this morning.

What... is that?

Something like ''It'd be nice if it were true.''

Really? I might not say it intentionally. So just pretend you didn't hear me. By the way, the ball is nice.

Which is the ball that disappointed you, Mori?

You have a sharp mind indeed. Seven years ago, I represented the Bifrost government at the previous ball.

At that time, the Empire had just finished its raid on Bifrost before a new borderline was drawn. So the theme of the ball was peace.

Unfortunately, an incident led to the ball being suspended for seven years.

What do you mean by the incident?

I'll tell you about it after the ball. It is still shivering when I recall it.

I agree with what Audrey said. Tonight, we are supposed to put down our work and live in the moment.

It is a post-Calamity world after all. How many times can we see this bustling scene of singing and dancing in our lifetime?

Captain!

What are the maids of the Victoria Family busy with in front of the banquet hall?

Miss Audrey's birthday party is about to begin, and she'll officially become the matriarch of the Victoria family.

(Looks like Miss Nyla has no say in this matter as well.)

Speaking of which, Snezhana's birthday is coming too.

Thank you Captain. I don't feel like celebrating my birthday with people from the Empire...

Got it. Let's celebrate after the ball is over then.

Awakener, what can we do for you?

Would you give me a registration form for the ball? I'm looking into something for Miss Nyla.

Alright. I'll ask my maid to make a copy for you.

Awakener, do you have fun at the ball?

Yeah, it's great, Miss Audrey.

Is that right? I saw you talking with many people, but you didn't seem to dance yet.

(Busted... Since Miss Audrey is someone Nyla wants to protect, it should be okay if I tell her about it.)

Miss Audrey, have you felt anything unusual at the ball?

Not at all. The ball is going on pretty well, isn't it?

Gee, why ask? Have you spotted anything?

I told Audrey about what concerns Nyla.

The castle is well protected by guards of the Victoria Family from within, and by the Empire's troops from without.

Moreover, all the guests are exceptional combatants. Anyone who dares to create trouble at the ball will end up tragically.

As I see it, Nyla was being oversensitive.

But why? Miss Nyla has experienced a grand occasion like this, hasn't she?

Could it have something to do with the incident happening at the last ball?

So you know the incident as well. Who told you?

It's Miss Mori. But I don't really know what happened exactly.

Mori was a witness indeed... But excuse me because I have to keep it a secret as well for the time being.

But I can assure you that it's just a family affair. We will do our best to ensure the safety of the guests.

By the way, please do not bring it up to Nyla. I hope she will leave this ball with a great memory.

Okay, I see.

Lord Awakener, remember our agreement?

You are not only a guest but a detective hired by the Victoria Family.

Hmm, I remember, of course. But as I see it, the guards and maids of the castle suffice to ensure the safety of the ball.

I don't think I can be of any help.

As the host, we cannot pry into the privacy of our guests. Besides, anyone with ulterior motives will inevitably be wary of us.

So Awakener, you just need to secretly protect us without revealing who you are working for.

It would be best if nothing happens at the ball. But even in that case, we will pay you the due amount.

I don't care about pay because Audrey and Nyla are both friends of mine. It's a pleasure to be able to join the ball with you guys.

I hope everything will be fine. But... there seems to be something going on in the castle lately.

What happened here?

Perhaps it's my sixth sense as the Head Maid. I somehow feel like everyone is hiding something from me. This is the first time I had this feeling in years.

Miss Nyla, are you suspecting that there are spies in the castle?

I'm just suspecting... Since I went out to receive the guests, I feel like my job has been assigned to someone else.

Isn't that great?

Not at all! As the Head Maid, how am I supposed to ensure the safety of the ball if I'm not in charge?

I didn't know you are such a workaholic...

I'll give you an example. This morning, my 5:00 a.m. alarm didn't sound for some reason. When I woke up, Miss Audrey had already started preparing for the reception work!

Could it be you who turned off the alarm because of tiredness?

Quite unlikely, because I set six alarms!

If it were me, that would be totally possible, however many alarms I set...

Anyway, please help me out, Detective Awakener!

But why me, Miss Nyla? Is it because I did an excellent job in the patrol mission?

Because I can tell that other guests would be very busy at the ball. I'm afraid they won't have time by then...

Turns out it's because I'm unpopular...

... Now it's time for some music. Please allow me to lead the first dance.

I would like to introduce my dance partner, Miss Nyla, the Head Maid of the Victoria Family!

Thank you, my lord!

Please hold your partner's hand as well. The ball is about to start in a second!

Miss Nyla looks great in her evening dress!

Miss Eriri, would you mind being my dance partner?

Ah, Snezhana, I don't have a reason to refuse.

Captain, have you found your dance partner?

That would be you, Sova!

Well, excuse me for being a clumsy dancer. So I would skip the first dance and learn from you from aside.

Didn't you do your homework, Awakener?

Well, it's okay, Captain. I'm fine with it...

There are plenty of people who crave to be Sova's dance partner. Let's go and leave this dummy alone!

Oops, I feel like I have missed something...

Alas, forget it. I've got work to do.

Awakener!

Miss Nyla, this evening dress of yours looks nice.

Thank you! I'm flattered by Audrey's invitation to a dance.

Thank you. How is the ball going?

Huh, it's okay. The ball is going on pretty well, and the maids of the Victoria Family have been doing a great job.

The guests are getting along. I don't think there is anything to worry about.

Good. I will take over your work after changing my outfit...

Would you mind some more dances, Miss Nyla? I've been waiting.

Miss Pan Pan from Eastrise?

You look gorgeous tonight. Would you fulfill this little wish of mine?

I don't have a reason to refuse... All right then. Let's have a dance, Miss Pan Pan.

Great! I knew you wouldn't let me down, Miss Nyla!

Hold on for a second. I'll be right back... Awakener, would you mind staying on the job for a little longer?

Miss Pan Pan's invitation seems deliberate... I think her Eastrise-style cheongsam is more eye-catching than my dress.

I'll work on it. But you've got to be more confident with how beautiful you are, Miss Nyla.

Jealous? Miss Nyla the superstar will be my dancing partner today.

Miss Pan Pan, thanks for your invitation.

It's my honor to be dancing with the world's best maid.

(Where's Awakener now?)

Where should I start then?

Pierrot doesn't seem to have a dance partner either. I'd better go and ask her.

Pierrot! Are you a waiter at the ball?

Awakener! Why don't you go dancing?

Well, I'm not really good at it. I'm more interested in what you are eating.

Let me pour you a cup of wine then. But don't eat too many snacks and desserts yet.

Why? It would make me feel sick when dancing, right?

Nope. Let me tell you a secret. I saw a delicious cake in the kitchen this morning, which was delivered from Eastrise through cold chain.

It will probably be served pretty soon.

What's the cake about?

I heard it was a birthday gift to Miss Audrey from those Eastrise guests.

You mean Pan Pan and others?

Exactly. I was pretty mad at it.

Why would we order a cake from Eastrise, now that we have our own cafeteria? Could it be that Audrey is dissatisfied with my job?

But I don't mind anymore when I heard that the cake was made by Miss Kuri, the cake expert from Grace the Yorozuya in Eastrise. Now I just want to have a taste of the cake...

... Finally, I've done dancing with Miss Pan Pan. People are so enthusiastic about dancing with me.

Thank you, Awakener!

A cake from Eastrise? I have no idea.

Seems someone is deliberately hiding it from me... but what's the point?

By the way, Miss Kuri is widely known for her Fūri Cake. I had the privilege of tasting it once during the New Year break.

But as far as I know, Kuri... seems to be better known as a bomb expert.

I remember hearing her say that she would perform patrol missions with the store owner...

This isn't good. There may be a bomb in that cake! Someone within the castle conspires with her to create a terrorist attack at the ball!

Seems there is a need to probe deeper into it. Miss Nyla, someone has come to invite you to dance.

No. I've got to refuse this time.

Even I don't have the honor?

Lord Horus!

Do you have something more important to do than dance with me, Miss Nyla? What a pity...

That's not the case. A diplomatic incident is something I never want to see!

Don't force yourself, Miss Nyla.

Not at all. Awakener, would you mind?

(Does Horus come by accident or on purpose?)

Whoa, Horus and Nyla!

It's not easy to meet with Nyla, and yet I don't get to dance with her.

We should share beautiful things with guests from coming afar.

Miss Nyla, please lead the dance.

Miss Nyla, what are you worried about?

Thank you for your concern, Lord Horus.

Not at all, Miss Nyla. Awakener is a companion worthy of trust. I'll protect Awakener in secret too.

Lieutenant General Mori!

Awakener, calling someone by her military title at a ball would be a killjoy!

Sorry... but I seem to have heard something you said during the reception ceremony this morning.

What... is that?

Something like ''It'd be nice if it were true.''

Really? I might not say it intentionally. So just pretend you didn't hear me. By the way, the ball is nice.

Which is the ball that disappointed you, Mori?

You have a sharp mind indeed. Seven years ago, I represented the Bifrost government at the previous ball.

At that time, the Empire had just finished its raid on Bifrost before a new borderline was drawn. So the theme of the ball was peace.

Unfortunately, an incident led to the ball being suspended for seven years.

What do you mean by the incident?

I'll tell you about it after the ball. It is still shivering when I recall it.

I agree with what Audrey said. Tonight, we are supposed to put down our work and live in the moment.

It is a post-Calamity world after all. How many times can we see this bustling scene of singing and dancing in our lifetime?

Captain!

What are the maids of the Victoria Family busy with in front of the banquet hall?

Miss Audrey's birthday party is about to begin, and she'll officially become the matriarch of the Victoria family.

(Looks like Miss Nyla has no say in this matter as well.)

Speaking of which, Snezhana's birthday is coming too.

Thank you Captain. I don't feel like celebrating my birthday with people from the Empire...

Got it. Let's celebrate after the ball is over then.

Awakener, what can we do for you?

Would you give me a registration form for the ball? I'm looking into something for Miss Nyla.

Alright. I'll ask my maid to make a copy for you.

Awakener, do you have fun at the ball?

Yeah, it's great, Miss Audrey.

Is that right? I saw you talking with many people, but you didn't seem to dance yet.

(Busted... Since Miss Audrey is someone Nyla wants to protect, it should be okay if I tell her about it.)

Miss Audrey, have you felt anything unusual at the ball?

Not at all. The ball is going on pretty well, isn't it?

Gee, why ask? Have you spotted anything?

I told Audrey about what concerns Nyla.

The castle is well protected by guards of the Victoria Family from within, and by the Empire's troops from without.

Moreover, all the guests are exceptional combatants. Anyone who dares to create trouble at the ball will end up tragically.

As I see it, Nyla was being oversensitive.

But why? Miss Nyla has experienced a grand occasion like this, hasn't she?

Could it have something to do with the incident happening at the last ball?

So you know the incident as well. Who told you?

It's Miss Mori. But I don't really know what happened exactly.

Mori was a witness indeed... But excuse me because I have to keep it a secret as well for the time being.

But I can assure you that it's just a family affair. We will do our best to ensure the safety of the guests.

By the way, please do not bring it up to Nyla. I hope she will leave this ball with a great memory.

Okay, I see.