Bailonz Street 13

I might not know exactly what Meridian is, but it’s practically a declaration of war.

‘Look, I’m going to kill you all from now on.’

Liam must have realised that too.

The deceased was also a member of the social club. Could there be a ‘common thread’ among them?

‘The dormitory.’

I hoped the belongings in the dormitory were still there. Since it had only been two days since the incident, they might not have been cleared out yet.

I nonchalantly told the guard on the first floor of the dormitory that I was here for a police investigation. The guard, while somewhat sceptical, mentioned that the bereaved family had not yet collected the belongings.

I’d have to take a quick look around.

I climbed the stairs and headed to the single room dormitory. There were a few condolence flowers placed in front of the door, likely left by students.

The inside was still as chaotic as ever. Nothing had changed since Liam and I had visited. Everything was as it was.

But one thing caught my eye. It was the white flower that once exuded a serene atmosphere. In just two days, it had dried up and turned black, despite the water still in the vase.

It seemed familiar. Although the location was different, I had seen such a dry flower before. Inspector Brixon’s voice echoed in my mind.

‘It looks like a dahlia.’

Could it really be just an incredible coincidence? Finding the same flower at both crime scenes?

I carefully wrapped it in a handkerchief and tucked it away. I needed to show this to someone. But who?

Flowers don’t dry out in such a short time. Turning black as if burned is even rarer.

It’s not an ordinary occurrence. It must be related to the world Liam sees.

Lucita had said she wouldn’t be in the country for a while. So, I couldn’t seek her help. Even if she returned, Liam Moore might be found as a corpse by then. I wanted to prevent that at all costs.

But I didn’t know the location of the social club, and the only person I knew was Herschel, who seemed to lack information as well….

“Take me to Halleden.”

It was a terrible decision. I knew it. How could I forget his eerie smile and those eyes burning with fluorescence!

But I had a hunch. For some reason… I felt he might help me.

＊ ＊ ＊

Halleden Avenue remained unchanged. The black iron fence and the gloomy garden, with a mansion standing out in stark contrast to the surrounding houses.

It was undoubtedly a beautiful mansion, but I couldn’t help but feel a sense of rejection.

‘Having to meet that creepy man again.’

Just in case, I had prepared a new cover story on the way here by carriage, but I hoped it wouldn’t come to that. I didn’t have the talent to open a closed door and return to Bailonz Street like Liam Moore.

To avoid dragging the coachman into this, I sent him away.

A doll-like butler, for some reason, was waiting at the front door. Seeing him, I immediately realised.

Plurititas knew I was coming.

Crossing the corridor I once ran through with Liam Moore, I gripped my cane tightly with tension.

I thought we’d go to the study. But contrary to my expectations, the butler led me to the greenhouse inside the mansion. It might sound strange, but that’s the only way to describe it. The mansion’s structure was unique. From the outside, it looked ordinary, but it was actually square-shaped, enclosing the greenhouse in the centre.

Inside, a tall, thin man stood, seemingly asleep with his eyes closed in the sunlight. He slightly tilted his head back and spoke.

“You’re the young lady who accompanied him before. Liam Moore must be in quite a hurry to send you alone.”

I removed my hat and faced him. His fiery blue eyes stared at me. His dazzling hair shone eerily in the sunlight, and he had a charmingly sharp gaze, but….

I knew. Something enormous was lurking within his shadow, hiding its presence. Something not human was disguising itself as a person, pretending to be kind, and no matter how hospitable he appeared, it was nearly impossible for me to smile back at him.

“I’m Jane Osmond.”

I extended my hand. Plurititas alternated his gaze between my hand and my face while maintaining a mask-like smile. After a long pause, I added.

“…It’s a handshake. Usually, people introduce themselves when they meet, right?”

“Oh, forgive my rudeness. It’s been nearly a decade since anyone offered such an audacious greeting…”

His large, claw-like fingers intertwined with mine. They were cold and clammy. When I said handshake, he clasped my hand tightly. I looked at the man holding my hand with mixed feelings.

He seemed fascinated by my hand. Had he never seen a human hand before? He examined it from various angles with interest.

“There’s warmth. I can feel the bones moving. Look at this… the pulse beats so delicately, it’s like a tiny fairy running around….”

Ugh. Does he think I’m an experiment? This is uncomfortable. I tried to move my hand slightly, but Plurititas’ next words froze me.

“This is a ligament, and a tendon, and a muscle… truly fascinating. The ones I made can never move as smoothly and naturally as this. I never realised how difficult it is to imitate human movement so perfectly.”

He wasn’t joking. If I moved any more, Plurititas might really cut off my wrist. I had a feeling since he coveted Liam Moore’s head. It was unsettling. I swallowed nervously.

Does he think he’s… Victor Frankenstein or something? Why is he so obsessed with the human body? Liam’s talk about the End Star comes to mind.

Is he actually an alien? A real alien?

I suddenly wanted to joke about teaching him the finger-gun greeting. But he wouldn’t get it….

“Let go now. I’ll let you hold it more if we finish our talk.”

I said.

Honestly, I expected Plurititas to be unyielding, maybe even refuse to let go of my hand. After all, the memory of him pressing down on Liam and me while laughing maniacally was still fresh. I remembered his voice crackling like a broken radio and the overwhelming pressure.

But now, he was merely smiling, habitually fiddling with his white hair. He even obediently released my hand! Then he guided me to a seat.

“It’s about Liam Moore, right? It’s obvious.”

“…Yes. It’s about Liam Moore’s disappearance.”

“Oh, wasn’t he dead?”

Plurititas leaned back in his chair, smiling. I felt a sudden surge of anger and plopped down in the seat across from him. No. Don’t talk about someone else’s death so lightly.

“I think it’s a disappearance. This… um…. I think it’s targeting Meridian and the club. Liam and I deduced as much.”

“You mean Greenwich.”

So it’s called Greenwich. Good to know. …Isn’t Greenwich the name of an observatory?

“Yes, there. There have been four victims so far. All from Greenwich. People disappear or die regularly, but the method and the means are utterly incomprehensible.”

Plurititas, who had been watching me with smiling eyes, asked.

“You thought I might know?”

It sounded like I had come to him treating him as some notorious criminal. I shook my head. Don’t offend him. He’s even more unpredictable than Liam Moore.

“I hoped I might get some advice from you. You’re old and… a scholar, right? You must be knowledgeable.”

Plurititas, with all ten of his fingertips touching, opened his mouth with a regrettable tone (which didn’t sound regrettable at all).

“I have much more talent in the sciences, so I have no connection with curses or the like.”

“Ah.”

So, it’s a different field.

He shrugged and propped his chin with his hand. The butler clattered noisily as he brought tea.

“Help yourself.”

With his light permission, I reached for the teacup. Sensing something ominous, I didn’t bring it to my lips, and felt his persistent gaze. There was a silent pressure.

Reluctantly, I took a sip. The tea was very bitter and astringent, with a formaldehyde-like pungent smell. Is this even for drinking? Is it actually formaldehyde?

Only after completely swallowing it did Plurititas speak.

“But you brought something… interesting.”