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MP: 128 Who Killed Me?
🕑 Added 2025-01-19 16:00:01 +0000 UTCAfter a brief exchange, Roy and Arcueid followed Kohaku into a spacious and well-lit parlor.
The Tohno family’s reputation as a prominent local clan was evident in the parlor's design. While it couldn’t rival the opulence of the El-Melloi or Einzbern, the room achieved a standard of elegance that was impeccable in its own right.
At the center stood a luxurious marble table, complemented by a crystal chandelier overhead. European-style oil paintings adorned the walls, lending the room a stately ambiance that bore a striking resemblance to the El-Melloi family’s parlor.
Roy settled into a seat in the corner, his presence calm yet commanding. Arcueid, having released her firm grip on Shiki Tohno’s wrist, followed suit and took a seat beside him.
Not long after, the red-haired maids returned, bearing an assortment of exquisite desserts meant to entertain their guests.
“Roy, may I eat these?”
Arcueid’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, though she still glanced at Roy for his approval.
In response, Roy looked toward the mansion's hostess and met Akiha Tohno’s gaze.
“Miss Akiha?”
“Of course. Please, help yourself.”
Akiha quickly nodded, her tone polite yet measured.
“Then I won’t hold back!”
Having spent centuries in the Millennium Castle, followed by relentless pursuit of Roa, Arcueid had little opportunity to enjoy such delicacies. The intricately crafted desserts before her were a rare treat, far superior to the simple burgers Beowulf had introduced her to.
With the host’s consent, Arcueid wasted no time indulging.
As she devoured the sweets with impressive speed, the assortment on the table visibly diminished. Despite her voracious appetite, her manner of eating was far from crude; in fact, there was a certain charm to it... an innocent delight that made the scene almost endearing.
For reasons he couldn’t quite articulate, Shiki Tohno felt increasingly uneasy watching Arcueid’s serene, almost peaceful demeanor. The stark contrast between her current state and the relentless hunter he had just escaped left him disoriented.
Is this woman bipolar? How can her behavior change so drastically?
Then there was the other one... Roy.
Shiki turned his gaze toward him, his unease deepening.
At first, he thought he had encountered a benevolent stranger, someone who might even save him from Arcueid. Yet, as the situation unfolded, he realized that this calm and composed man was no mere bystander... he was the orchestrator of it all.
Roy had not only disarmed him but casually held him in place, all while engaging in seemingly trivial conversation. By now, it was clear who held the reins between the two visitors.
Just my luck, I escape the woman only to run straight into her boss.
“Is something the matter, Shiki Tohno?”
Noticing Shiki’s lingering gaze, Roy raised an eyebrow and spoke with a calm, inquisitive tone. “If you have something to say, feel free to speak your mind.”
“N-No, I just…”
Shiki stammered, his words faltering.
What can I even say? Admit I was sizing you up?
“Apologies." Akiha interjected smoothly, stepping in to defuse the awkward tension. “My brother has never left the country, so he’s naturally curious about distinguished guests from the Clock Tower.”
Her poised demeanor concealed the tension brewing within her. Turning her attention to Roy, she continued with an air of polite inquiry.
"Lord Roy, you just mentioned that my elder brother had previously offended Miss Arcueid."
"Yes, your brother indeed had a rather unpleasant encounter with Arcueid."
Roy nodded in confirmation.
"In that case… may I ask how my brother wronged you and Miss Arcueid? If it is possible, the Tohno family is willing to apologize on his behalf and provide satisfactory compensation to the both of you."
“Did he offend us in some way...?”
Hearing Akiha Tohno's calm words, Roy chuckled softly. His gaze briefly swept over Shiki Tohno, who sat across from him, stiff with nerves but trying to appear composed.
“I see. Miss Akiha, despite your youth, your poise and grace already befit the head of a distinguished family. You’re truly a natural-born leader.”
“In contrast, Shiki Tohno seems a bit lacking in maturity. Even now, you refuse to come clean about the truth? That’s not what a man should do. Still, you are quite fortunate.”
Roy paused, smiling faintly as he praised Akiha once more.
“Miss Akiha, your brother is truly lucky to have such a capable and brilliant younger sister. It’s enviable, really.”
Ordinarily, such compliments might have pleased Akiha Tohno. But standing before an enigmatic figure whose depth remained unreadable, she dared not let her guard down for even a moment.
Her reply remained cautious, her tone steady. “You flatter me, but I am simply fulfilling my duties as a sister and head of the family.”
“No need to be so modest... I’m rarely wrong when assessing people. However…”
Roy tapped the surface of the table with his finger. His gaze suddenly sharpened, and an overwhelming magical aura radiated outward, blanketing the room in oppressive tension.
He spoke in a low, grave voice: “Miss Akiha, you mentioned offering compensation. But do you truly understand the extent of your brother’s actions?”
The suffocating presence made Akiha’s hairs stand on end, and Shiki Tohno felt as if Death itself had locked its gaze upon him.
It was no exaggeration to say that their lives now rested in Roy’s grasp.
Such an effortless display of power... magical energy unleashed with terrifying precision... was this man even human?
Beneath this immense pressure, Akiha’s brows furrowed. Despite her trembling nerves, she maintained composure as best she could, responding with a polite but firm tone.
“My apologies. I truly do not know how my brother has offended your companions. If you could clarify, we would be most grateful.”
“Clarify, you say? Very well.”
Roy leaned back slightly. “If I were to tell you that your brother killed one of my companions... How do you propose to repay such a debt, Miss Akiha?”
Silence.
A deathly silence enveloped the room.
At last, Roy’s words shattered the tenuous calm.
Akiha’s fingers trembled. The delicate porcelain cup in her hand slipped, crashing to the floor with a sharp crack. The shattered fragments mirrored the disbelief in her wide eyes as she stared at Roy, her voice quivering with shock.
“That’s impossible! My brother would never kill someone!”
Roy remained silent, his expression unchanging as he watched her.
Realizing her outburst, Akiha quickly reined in her emotions. Years of discipline and poise won out against the storm of fury and confusion within her.
“I… I apologize for my outburst. I can assure you my brother is not the sort of person who would harm others. Lord Roy, there must be some misunderstanding here…”
“Misunderstanding? Misunderstanding?! When he pinned me down and split me into seventeen pieces, I would have liked to ask that myself!”
Arcueid, who had been quietly savoring her desserts, slammed her unfinished plate down. Rising to her feet, she glared at Akiha, ready to argue.
“Arcueid, calm yourself. Let’s hear Miss Akiha out first.”
Roy placed a hand on Arcueid’s shoulder, gently pressing her back into her seat.
“But... !”
Feeling the weight of his touch, Arcueid swallowed her retort, settling down begrudgingly. Her eyes, however, continued to smolder with indignation.
“Hmph! Consider yourself lucky, Akiha Tohno.”
“Calm down, Arcueid. Acting rashly will only worsen the situation. Trust me, justice will be served. Leave the rest to me.”
Roy tousled Arcueid’s hair lightly, eliciting a huff of irritation before turning his gaze back to Akiha, whose expression mirrored her internal turmoil. His tone softened.
“Miss Akiha, I understand your desire to defend your brother. But please, collect yourself. Staying composed is essential.”
“And Arcueid, no more provocations. Violence won’t resolve this matter.”
Once both sides had calmed, Roy offered a suggestion.
“Since debate alone will lead us nowhere, why don’t we let the involved party... Shiki Tohno himself... describe the events as he remembers them? We’ll judge from there.”
“I’ll go along with whatever Roy decides."
“I have no objections either.”
Akiha nodded, confident in her brother’s innocence. She believed there had to be some misunderstanding.
However…
“Akiha, I…”
From behind her, Shiki’s trembling voice broke the uneasy calm.
“Brother?”
Akiha turned toward him, her concern growing as she noticed his pale face and downcast eyes. A sinking feeling began to gnaw at her heart.
No… it couldn’t be…
Roy’s gaze bore into Shiki, his tone deceptively gentle.
“Shiki Tohno, would you mind recounting the events of that day for us?”
“I… I’m sorry. It was my fault.”
Shiki’s voice faltered as he lowered his head in shame.
In that moment, the truth became undeniable.
“You see?” Arcueid declared triumphantly. “Even the killer himself has confessed!”
“Miss Akiha, do you have anything else to say in defense?” Roy asked calmly, his tone devoid of malice yet piercing in its certainty.
Akiha’s world crumbled at Shiki’s admission. Her face turned ashen, her body trembling as if the ground beneath her had vanished. Unable to maintain her balance, she collapsed into her chair, her voice barely a whisper.
“This… This can’t be true…”
