The Case Book of Arne (アルネの事件簿)

Black magic?

That's what Father is involved in?

That's right.

And whatever your father was attempting,

it seems related to your investigation.

Now we just wait for him to make a move.

Until then, I'll be at the castle.

You keep an eye on her.

Always sticking me with the boring jobs...

Huh? Zisye?

Did I surprise you?

I can travel between mirrors anywhere.

That's amazing.

But Arne and I can only see each other in this mirror or at the castle.

Because vampires like Lord Arne don't have a reflection, right?

Yeah, exactly.

Hey.

Hang on to this. It's a spare key to your father's room.

A key made from vampire blood?!

Actually, give it back.

Never! I will treasure it always!

Fine. But if he does make a move, use the mirror to have Zisye contact me.

Oh, um, okay.

I'm curious to see where this leads.

THE CASEBOOK OF ARNE

MISFORTUNE NEVER VISITS ALONE

Do you think I am too strict with her?

She probably wants nothing to do with her nagging old tutor.

I wonder if I'll never hear her call me "Gramps" again.

I'm sure she'll be calling you "old geezer" soon enough.

Old geezer?

But the mistress will still need your guidance

as she grows into her role as heiress.

Will you stand by my side as I continue to serve Mistress Lynn?

Absolutely.

Hello? Lynn speaking.

Come to my room immediately.

Father?

My father married into my mother's family.

My mother was an only child, and she'd been frail her whole life.

So it was like a political marriage?

But they got along very, very well.

They loved each other.

Maybe that's why...

I wish I could have lived longer and spent more time with you and Lynn.

Much longer.

Perhaps he was unable to let go of her dying words.

Huh.

Two years have passed and Father still can't face reality.

But what about me?

I know I must live up to my role as heiress, so I'm trying my best to move on,

but am I really ready to face the future?

What was that?

I should go find out afterwards.

Zisye, can you contact Lord Arne and ask him to come?

I'm on it.

Father, it's Lynn.

Father?

It's locked.

I'm coming in.

Father?

Are you in here—

Rejoice, Lynn!

Father?

Our time has finally come.

Huh?

The three of us will now be together forever.

And ever. And ever.

Master? I'm here now.

Huh? Why the heck is it locked?

Huh?

Mistress? Mistress!

This is terrible!

Lynn Reinweiß was found unconscious beside her father's body, you say?

Sounds like it.

The whole mansion was dark so I couldn't see anything through the mirrors.

And this is her father?

The humans in this mansion must only recognize their master by his clothes.

Yup, thought so. This man isn't even Lynn Reinweiß's blood relative.

Huh? So it was all staged? But why would somebody do that?

Shall we go find out?

Seems excessive to keep a secret basement room like this.

Especially one so deep.

Lynn's father had bad legs, didn't he?

Maybe his accomplice helped him down here.

Again?

What now?

Nothing.

Arne?

Right. We're trying to find out what her father was up to.

And this explains it. Reanimation.

That's a woman's skull.

Seems like the father was trying to bring this to life.

A woman, huh?

This is still only a puppet.

A core is essential to complete the ceremony.

A core? Oh, you mean a heart?

And with that, it's case closed.

Aw, we're done already?

But something smells wrong.

There's too much blood mixed up.

I don't believe it. How can Father be dead?

Your father was...

I don't want to hear it. Please leave.

I understand, but—

I told you to get out!

Mistress.

If you need anything, please call for me.

Excuse me.

Father.

Are you finally alone?

Lord Arne.

Do you know where my father is?

Everyone thinks he was killed in his room, but they're wrong.

Yeah, that was somebody else.

I knew it. So he's still ali—

I found your father's corpse in a hidden underground room.

He was most likely murdered by his accomplice.

My investigation revealed—

Stop talking!

I don't want to know.

I don't want to...

Fine. Then, I'll save my breath.

With this, our deal is concluded,

human.

I...

can't let it end like this.

Let go of me. I have no further business with you.

I will not. Take me to where my father is.

I just told you he's dead.

I won't believe that until I see it with my own eyes.

I've been deceiving myself this whole time,

believing that becoming a respected heiress meant I was facing the future.

But I kept closing my eyes to my sorrow.

My father was the same way.

From now on, I want to face the future with my eyes open.

Not as this family's successor, but as a daughter who loved her mother dearly.

As myself, Lynn Reinweiß.

That's the first time I've been able to endure any human's prattle.

W-We're flying?!

Why are you in your adult body, Lord Arne?

You're still a little heavy.

Rude.

Hold still if you don't want me to drop you.

You wanted to see your father, yes?

But the mansion's way down there.

Then, let's say this detour is on me.

So this is the world as the lord of the night sees it?

But why show me this?

I suppose I've taken something of a liking to you, Lynn Reinweiß.

You're calling me by my name again.

Well, it seems you are still my client.

Those are the results of my investigation.

He tried to bring my mother back to life.

Yeah, and he wanted to leave the mansion with you and your mother.

I cannot forgive what my father has done.

But that still doesn't excuse his murder.

Okay, so what now?

I'll get changed!

Huh?

Is that your battle armor?

Yup.

Lord Arne, I would like to make a new request.

Please help me find this person. This "accomplice" who murdered my father.

For what fee?

I'll do whatever you ask.

Just maybe not anything kinky.