At 6:40 a.m., Villy Barrett was found collapsed in an alley by the morning patrol guards.
Half an hour later, Marquis Barrett, unconscious in his own home, was discovered by a maid and immediately reported to the guard unit.
After examining the scene, the scattered cards and the victims' disoriented memories led the guards to suspect a Shadow Game—but they found no sign of Villy Barrett's Spirit Eyes.
From that point on, the capital guard went on unprecedented high alert.
The royal capital, famous nationwide for its security, hadn't seen a case this severe in over a decade.
With both victims from a marquis family, it was evidently a targeted attack.
Combining this with the events of the previous night's banquet, the guards initially suspected the Carlos family, who had clashed with the Barretts.
However, follow-up reasoning made them the least likely culprits.
The younger daughter, Aisha Carlos, had been with Princess Nova all night—an alibi beyond question, since no one would doubt the word of the third princess.
As for the elder daughter, Alice Carlos, she was widely known in noble circles to lack Spirit Eyes and wasn't even a Duelist.
With their initial lead gone, the investigation shifted.
And that only made things harder.
There were far too many suspects with a motive.
At the root of it, the Marquis family's high status and grasp on power had cut into too many other noble houses' interests.
On top of that, Villy Barrett's arrogant, domineering personality had sown no shortage of personal grudges.
The guards launched a sweeping search, leaving the capital's citizens uneasy.
But by 9:00 a.m., the search stalled.
For a strange reason.
A thick fog rolled in.
Fog wasn't unusual—that said, this time, it was unprecedented, a blinding shroud that covered the entire city.
Travel became difficult, and the capital's transportation was instantly paralyzed.
With no choice, the guards suspended the marquis case investigation to focus on maintaining order in the fog.
…
In the third princess's chambers—
"Are you all right, Aisha?"
Princess Nova, still cuddling the fluffy dragon form of Lan-maid she'd held all night, kneaded her fur while glancing at Aisha Carlos by the window.
"Aisha, you've seemed preoccupied since earlier… just like my big brother when he won't say anything but is clearly worried."
"Sorry, Your Highness. I was…thinking."
In truth, she was talking with Miles.
Upon hearing from the guards that morning that Villy Barrett had been subjected to a Shadow Game, had his Spirit Eyes stolen, and lost his memories, Aisha and Miles immediately thought of one person.
Luca Slint—or more precisely, the dark personality in Luca's Millennium Ring.
In a normal Shadow Game, by the rules of the Spirit Continent, even if you lost, only one card could be taken.
However, six months ago, something similar had happened at Fusion Academy.
Irena had her Spirit Eyes stolen and her memories of the Shadow Game erased—It was exactly like Villy's case now. And the culprit then had been the Millennium Ring, using the power of Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder, to steal her Spirit Eyes.
Most importantly, just days ago, Luca had been transferred back from prison in the Iron Tears for release on bail.
"Miles, do you think this was Luca's doing?"
"Hard to say," Miles said coolly. "Even if it was, what would be the motive? I can't see one."
Having dueled Villy himself, Miles knew better than anyone that he was nothing more than a barking dog with no bite.
For Luca to target someone like that, and so blatantly take their Spirit Eyes, would be pointless and risk exposing herself.
"Then let me ask this… do you think Luca will return to Livorden?"
"Yes."
This time, Miles's answer was immediate.
"Why?"
"Because Millennium Item holders are drawn to each other."
According to that repeatedly proven 'Stand User' rule, Miles was certain Luca wouldn't stay peacefully in the Varian Empire.
"Luca Slint will return."
"She will…"
Aisha had never doubted Miles before, and she wouldn't now.
Her vivid green eyes gazed out the tall palace windows.
Of course, she could see nothing—only endless white fog.
"If Luca returns… or is already in the capital… what would she do?"
She remembered Luca's desperate plea before imprisonment—and the look of hatred when Aisha had ignored her.
"If Luca returns, she'll choose revenge."
The thought left Aisha uneasy.
"Revenge…"
And then, imagining how Luca might strike back, her mind conjured a vision.
If Luca wanted to hurt her most, the first target might not be her, but someone dear to her.
Through the fog, Aisha thought she saw a future—
Alice Carlos, standing alone in a pool of blood, her fingertips clutching a shattered Spirit Eyes.
"Sister?"
Realizing this was possible, Aisha could no longer sit still.
"I'm sorry, Princess Nova… I have to go!"
"Go? Aisha, are you leaving? I thought you were going to summon monsters with me again later."
"I'm sorry… there's something I must check. But I'll be back, I promise. Please wait for me!"
"Something you must check?"
Even Princess Nova set aside her natural willfulness in the face of Aisha's urgency and nodded.
"Then it must be very important to you. All right… I'll wait for you here."
...
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