The infirmary was filled with quiet sobs and murmured prayers. The scent of antiseptic herbs and cleansing incense clung to the air, barely masking the heaviness of fear and sorrow that settled in the room like fog.
Curtains rustled gently as healers moved from patient to patient, offering comfort where they could — but not hope. Not yet.
At the far end of the room, separated by a thin partition, a deeper silence loomed.
Vel entered quietly, boots muffled against the polished floor. His eyes swept across the room, taking in the mournful atmosphere, his usual vibrant energy dimmed by the weight of what he saw.
He made his way toward the corner where the two rescued sisters lay. The girls' eyes were open, staring blankly, bodies still. Their expressions were frozen — neither peaceful nor in pain.
"Bella," Vel called gently.
The head healer turned, her blue hair tucked in a neat bun, though strands had loosened with fatigue. Her robes were smudged with the remnants of restorative salves, and her shoulders were heavy with the burden she carried.
"Vel-sama," she greeted, her voice tired but respectful.
He stepped beside her, casting a worried glance toward the still figures. "What happened?"
Bella sighed, folding her arms. "We've tried everything. Standard healing magic, blessings spells. Nothing is working. Their vitals are stable, but it's like their minds are... trapped."
She looked toward the beds, sorrow deepening her voice. "They don't respond to pain, or sound, or light. Their eyes are open, but they aren't here with us. It's as if their souls are locked behind a door we can't reach."
Vel's brow furrowed, anger and helplessness swirling in his chest. "...Just like the others."
His gaze hardened. "That damn liquid. Whatever it is, it's not just poison. It's doing something deeper."
He turned to Bella. "We need Shuri's report. Soon."
Bella nodded slowly. "We're watching over them around the clock. If there's any change — even the smallest — I'll send word immediately."
"Thank you." Vel placed a firm but gentle hand on her shoulder. "Please… keep trying."
"I won't," Bella said, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes. "But... Vel-sama… this may take more than magic to bring them back."
Vel stared at the patients and their family members for a moment, then slowly turned to leave. "Then we'll find whatever it takes."
Office Room.
The office was dimly lit by afternoon sun filtering through tall windows, its warmth doing little to lift the weight in the air. Vel sat at his desk, elbows on the polished wood, fingers steepled beneath his chin. Shin stood nearby, eyes scanning over the scattered reports as silence hung between them — heavy with unspoken frustration.
A knock broke the stillness.
A young soldier entered with a salute, urgency in his step and voice. "Sirs, a priority report from the Capital Command. The General asked this be delivered directly and requests an immediate response."
Vel stood and took the sealed document. "Let's see what the General's dogs found."
Breaking the seal, he opened the folder and scanned the contents. His sharp eyes narrowed.
"It's from the interrogation of the bandits and kidnappers," he said, voice tightening. "Finally... something concrete."
Shin stepped forward as Vel continued reading aloud.
The captured bandits confessed to working under the command of a man dressed like a noble, but wearing a mask — a jester's mask with a sad expression and a star etched on the forehead. He paid well, demanded silence, and spoke little. All orders came through a third party.
The kidnappers gave a different but eerily similar report. They were employed by a 'doctor' or 'scientist,' also masked — this one with a grinning jester face, also marked with a star. They claim he gave specific instructions on dosages and procedures, speaking in scientific terms they didn't understand. The two masked men never appeared together... but they were clearly linked to each other.
Vel lowered the paper, frowning. "Two different masks. Two different roles. But both with the same star... they're connected."
Just then, the door opened and Darius entered, a scroll of parchment in his hand, dark circles under his eyes from sleepless study.
"I've completed the deciphering," he said, then noticed the paper in Vel's hand. "What's that?"
"A lead," Vel replied, handing him the document. "Read it."
Darius skimmed through it quickly, his eyes darkening. "Ohh… both of the masked people match.."
"So they are connected," Shin muttered. "Which means if we catch one of them, we might find the rest."
Vel nodded, turning to the soldier. "Tell the General we'll cooperate fully. We'll send every detail we uncover to their investigative team — and expect the same in return."
"Yes, Guild Master!" the soldier saluted, then turned and exited with urgency.
Darius stepped forward, placing his own report on the desk. "As for the documents we found at the kidnappers' base... the experimentations were centered around erasing sensation. Their aim was clear — to eliminate emotion, fear, even pain. They wanted to create soldiers who would not hesitate, retreat, or question orders. Only obedience."
Vel's eyes narrowed. "Emotionless weapons…"
"It goes beyond alchemy," Darius added grimly. "Some of the formulas and incantation marks — I'm almost certain they used dark magic. Something forbidden... it's not alchemy by itself.."
Shin folded his arms. "That confirms the scale. They're not just criminals. They're planning something far more dangerous."
Vel turned toward Shin. "What about Shuri? Has she finished her analysis?"
Shin shook his head. "Not yet. I'll go check on her now."
"Do that," Vel said firmly, then turned to Darius. "I want you to cross-reference anyone — known or even suspected — who has knowledge of dark magic-based alchemy. Especially anyone who's gone missing or started new projects lately."
Darius gave a single nod. "Understood. I'll have a report within the day."
The two departed quickly, leaving Vel alone for a moment in the room.