Chương 251: Windmere II
The mayor joined us shortly after we'd settled into the drawing room. He was a man in his late forties, with graying hair, kind eyes, and a warm smile that instantly eased some of the tension in the room. He greeted each of us with a polite bow, his demeanor calm and courteous.
"Welcome to Windmere," he said, his voice a gentle rumble. "I can't tell you how grateful I am to have young talents like yourselves here to help us with this terrible crisis."
As we made our way to the dining room, his sincerity seemed genuine. The long table was set with simple, hearty fare—stews, roasted vegetables, and freshly baked bread, with a few more delicate dishes that seemed reserved for honored guests. Despite the manor's grandeur, the food felt grounded, more fitting for a place like Windmere.
Throughout the meal, the mayor was open and forthright, sharing details of his efforts to protect the town. "I know how it must seem, all the stories you've heard," he said, glancing down with a sigh. "But please understand, we're doing all we can. The people here… they're good, hardworking folk, but this situation has worn everyone thin."
We listened as he spoke of the town's struggles—how fear had changed the mood of Windmere, how townspeople had grown wary, and how his own limitations as a White-ranker had left him unable to protect them as fully as he wished. He described organizing patrols, hiring guards, and even reaching out to the adventurer guilds for support. Each effort seemed thought out and well-intentioned, but still, they had lost lives.
"It keeps me awake most nights," he admitted, looking genuinely pained. "Every new death feels like a failure, but all I can do is keep trying, keep searching for answers. I even considered calling on one of the major families, but… you understand how things are here. A small town like Windmere would be overlooked at best."
His voice held the weight of genuine frustration, and slowly, our earlier doubts began to wane. The lavishness of the manor felt more like a remnant of better times rather than something the mayor flaunted for vanity. As he talked, his kindness and humility became more apparent, painting a picture of a man burdened by responsibility and doing his best to protect his people.
"I can only thank you for stepping in where we haven't been able to," he said, raising his glass. "To you, and to a safer Windmere."
We raised our glasses in return, feeling our reservations dissolve. This was a man who truly cared for his town, who seemed almost haunted by his own inability to stop the killer. For the first time since we'd arrived, I felt a glimmer of hope that we might actually bring this threat to an end—and in doing so, bring some peace to this dedicated, weary man and his people.
"He seemed like a good person," Cecilia murmured, wrapping herself around my arm. "Were we wrong?"
"Can't walk by yourself?" I asked, though she simply ignored me, leaning closer.
"Well, of course he seemed good," Ava said, though there was a hint of doubt in her tone. "He had to be. You're the princess of the Slatemark Empire, and I'm the heir to the Moyong family, not to mention we're all Integration-rankers. He couldn't afford to be anything but nice."
"True," I replied, nodding. "We can't take his kindness at face value."
We continued down the quiet, dimly lit street toward Windmere's best hotel, where we'd be staying. The mayor had made sure our rooms were arranged in advance, yet another gesture that, while generous, did little to dispel our suspicion.
Once inside, the hotel offered a surprising level of comfort for a small town. Rich tapestries adorned the walls, and a crackling fire warmed the lobby. We checked in quickly, but the evening weighed heavily on my mind.
As we settled into the plush seating area in the hotel lounge, the warm glow of the fire crackling nearby, I leaned forward, speaking just above a whisper. "I think our next step should be to investigate that brothel," I suggested, keeping my tone casual, though my eyes held a sharper edge. "There's something about it… I have a feeling we might find our lead there."
Cecilia's expression darkened instantly, her grip on my arm tightening. "You're not going there alone," she said, her voice firm.
"It'd be easier if I went solo," I replied, trying to keep my tone light. "You two would draw too much attention. Besides, if something goes wrong, it's less risky for one of us to slip out than for three."
Cecilia's frown deepened, and she crossed her arms, clearly displeased. "You think I'd care about 'drawing attention' if it means keeping you out of danger?" She paused, then hesitated, her gaze drifting slightly away from mine. "And honestly, I don't love the thought of you going to… a place like that. There are other ways to find information."
I blinked, mildly taken aback, realizing this was about more than just her worry over my safety. "Cecilia, I'm going there for answers. Not exactly a social call."
She looked unconvinced, her mouth pressed into a thin line. "Just… be careful," she said finally, her voice softer. "If anyone's even slightly suspicious of you, get out. No information is worth taking foolish risks."
Ava chimed in, a thoughtful expression on her face. "She's right, Arthur. If anything feels wrong, don't push it. We'll stay close, keep an eye on the town. If people start acting strange after your visit, we'll know we're onto something."
I nodded, reassured by their support, though I could still feel Cecilia's lingering reluctance. "I'll be careful," I promised. "I don't plan on taking any chances."
Cecilia let out a long breath. "Good. I'm holding you to that," she said, giving me one last, intense look. Ava nodded approvingly, and I could feel a shared resolve between the three of us, each ready to play our part in peeling back the layers of mystery around Windmere.
As I left to prepare, I hoped this lead would finally shed some light on the strange darkness haunting the town—and that I could ease Cecilia's worries, both spoken and unspoken, by returning safely.
Tình trạng nguồn điện hàng tuần
-- Xếp hạng
Quyền lực 
-- Đá
Quyền lực