Extra's Descent
Chapter 390: Evelyn Cessna [7]

Bellion had heard of the matter before the incident was broadcasted by the media.

It was unbelievable. He had a hard time processing the situation, and the entire ordeal had mentally drained him.

It wasn't even the fact that Brandon was being detained, but the sheer thought of Evelyn dying broke him mentally.

'....It feels like we're losing people day by day.'

He had not just lost a valuable asset, a soldier, but he had also lost a friend.

Bellion had no time to grieve, despite the sorrow he felt in his heart.

Not just him, but everyone.

Everything was a mess.

It may have just been one person, but Evelyn Cessna's death was even bigger than the Blood Crescent Moon guild massacre.

'....I don't know what's going on anymore.'

"Field Marshal, are you listening to me?"

It hadn't even registered to him that Belle was right in front of him, pleading.

"Ah?"

"Please, help my brother. You know as well as I do he would never kill Miss Evelyn!"

"Evidence says otherwise. Your Brother did the deed."

It was the cold hard truth of the matter.

"Field Marshal…."

"However, I have insider information. The case is way bigger than it already is."

"Tell me, what do you know?"

"Your brother claims Field Marshal Cessna was turning into a Wraith. It doesn't make sense. If she had been possessed, it would take a while for the full possession to process, we would've found out about it by now knowing she had been active."

People with high sensitivity to mana could sense a possessed right away. The miasma protruding from a mana core's impurity would never slip anyone's senses.

Which was why the case took utmost importance. Especially when they investigated, and noticed the oddities in Evelyn's body.

"Her body was found pale, the kind of color similar to that of a Wraith. Furthermore, the oddities her body took, to be precise her unnatural crystal nails."

"What….?"

Belle looked flabbergasted, as if she was unable to process everything. How could she, when she had just seen Evelyn a few days back?

"But you see, there's a saving grace. The only reason why your brother wasn't sentenced yet, despite all evidence against him."

Because….

"A cherry blossom was found in her body."

"...."

From their scans, they had found it was the same mana signature emanating from Iron Fist guild.

"They are tweaking the scans as we speak. If your brother is telling the truth, which is highly likely by now, they'll soon replace the impurities in her mana core."

It was then when Bellion's expressions changed.

"This is highly classified information, under no circumstances are you allowed to disclose it. I'm only telling you since you're the perpetrators' family.

Additionally, because he was fond of Brandon, and Belle had been a great asset to the Imperial Army thus far.

"I understand."

"For some reason, the current technology we have is unable to detect the impurities in her core no matter what they used. Since it was highly probable after all the facts I laid out, the council had a collective agreement."

"...."

The council, composed of twelve elders that handled all affairs. More precisely, the government that was above every organization handling most important matters in Holy Britannia.

"Since Evelyn Cessna had no family to consent to, no one to take responsibility for her…."

A sudden chill ran down Belle's spine, swallowing deeply.

"....With no other choice, Runic Cadaver Analysis was conducted on her body."

A magical autopsy that used runic circles and mana to examine a body.

Runes inscribed around the cadaver, activating spells that revealed internal damage, magical imprints, or causes of death that's unperceivable by a mage's perception.

It wasn't taboo, but it was a process frowned upon. It had been a long while since the process was done since technology made up for it.

In other words, Evelyn Cessna's lifeless body was no more.

To thoroughly evaluate the intricacies of the human's body to the brim, the body had to be consumed.

"And you agreed to that!?"

Belle exclaimed.

While it may had contradicted her inner turmoil regarding Brandon's innocence,

A human body, no matter what the circumstances, deserved respect and should never have been desecrated in the pursuit of answers.

"I had no say to it. Before I could voice out my opinions, the council already had an agreement. It wasn't unanimous, about a nine to three ratio."

"...."

"I'm just as disgusted as you. In fear of Wraiths, I understand where they're coming from. But still…."

Bellion swallowed dryly.

"I'm unsure about the results, but we'll know during the trial in two days."

***

Despite the death of Ben Dover, Amelia was still in pursuit of the truth. Continue reading stories on M V L

She questioned nurses, combed through Ben Dover's list of patients, probed into his personality and medical history, and used her Imperial Army credentials to dig up personal information.

But her efforts led nowhere. Nothing useful.

No clues.

Each dead end weighed heavier on her, the sleepless nights evident by the dark circles in her eyes.

Furthermore, she had visited Ben Dover's relatives, only for the door to be shut in front of her.

Of course, because they had dealt with loss. Most probably unaware of his relation to the incident regarding Evelyn Cessna's murder.

At this rate, even if Brandon was found innocent, they would never discover the real perpetrator responsible.

Just as she was about to return home, Amelia realized the sun had yet to set, and there was still time.

It was then when she had finally stumbled upon a nurse with interesting information.

"Doctor Ben Dover? I don't think he's seeing someone—Ah!"

As if realizing something, the nurse's eyes glimmered.

"I wasn't sure if I was seeing it right. But a while back, while I was heading home, I'm certain I saw him entering a love hotel."

Indeed, Amelia had posed this question to several nurses. But they had all stated the same thing.

'Doctor Ben Dover was single.'

"A love hotel? Did you see him go with anyone?"

"No, he was going alone. But maybe, this secret lover of his was already waiting for him in the room? I'm not too sure."

It was just speculation. But it was information Amelia greatly appreciated.

"Can you tell me the location?"

"Of course, it's….."

Amelia quickly wrote the address down on her phone.

Finally, there was a lead, after having nothing for the past couple of days.

"Thank you so much."

"You don't have to. I'm just happy if this could assist the case. Doctor Ben Dover was such a kind man."

There it was again.

'Doctor Dover was a kind man.'

It was as if it was factual.

If that were the case, then why did he conduct false check–ups on Evelyn?

Amelia was sure that was the case after thoroughly going through Evelyn's medical record.

The documents said she was healthy, but the case said otherwise.

If there were impurities, and technology couldn't make a thorough assessment, he could've just admitted that instead of taking her money.

It was truly odd.

So much so that Amelia was sure he had relevance to the case.

In any case, Amelia arrived at the love hotel. Immediately, she used her Imperial Army credentials.

"I need to see the security footage dating September, all the way to December."

However, those words did not come from Amelia's mouth.

No, it came from the person who had appeared right beside her.

"Amelia?"

"Raven?"