Chapter 54: Green Land Street

Green Land Street was the oldest road in Schwerdt Town. About twenty years ago, before the surrounding villages were merged into the town, this lush and verdant road, true to its name, had already existed. Back then, it was the residence of a noble who had lost in Lanstier’s power struggles and was “exiled” to this remote area. Twenty years later, the dilapidated and uninhabited manor stood at the end of the moss, vine, tree, and flower-covered street, unnoticed and forgotten.

After leaving the police station, worried about Louise, Selene and Richter went straight to Green Land Street.

Most of the residents here were either elderly or outsiders. The former were servants of that noble. Decades later, even though the noble was dead and had no heirs to inherit his legacy, these loyal servants hadn't left. The outsiders who chose to live here did so because of its high elevation, practically on the slopes of the Loki Mountains. The scenery and environment were excellent.

Led by a guard, they quickly arrived at the artist's residence.

It was a large house, three stories high, with a spacious lawn surrounded by a fence.

A young girl with freckles on her face opened the door. Selene could see the vigilance and resistance in her eyes. But after seeing that Selene wasn’t wearing a police uniform, her emotions seemed to lessen slightly.

She glanced behind the girl and saw another, similarly young woman, seemingly about 5’7”, with a slender figure. Her expression was also somewhat wary.

…They’re still here, in their “employer’s” house. Even though it’s now a crime scene?

Selene muttered to herself, her expression unchanged, and said,

“We’re with the police…”

Before she could finish her sentence, the girl who opened the door tried to slam it shut, but Richter stopped her.

“You all think he committed suicide! People came yesterday, and you’re here again today!”

She kept pushing on the door, as if venting her frustration, but she couldn’t close it. Her face turned red.

The guard who had accompanied them immediately felt a headache coming on. He hurried forward to explain the situation. Carefully choosing his words, he explained their purpose for coming. He finally managed to calm her down somewhat.

“Looking for someone?” The girl’s eyes widened slightly. “Looking for someone here? Are you sure?”

“Actually, we’re looking for the person who came yesterday,” Selene had been observing the guard’s interaction with the girl, noticing that she did have some complaints about the police, but it wasn’t unresolvable… In the end, it was just a disagreement about the manner of death.

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Duquesne and the guards who had come here all thought it was a suicide. But these two girls, who had spent every day with him, thought it was murder… She’d start by agreeing with them, just to calm them down.

“Allow me to introduce myself. I’m not a police officer. They hired me. You must have heard of me. I’m Nitya.” Selene showed her adventurer’s badge. “Actually, the one who came yesterday was my assistant. We think this incident is unusual and want to conduct a more thorough investigation… Would you mind cooperating?”

The girl hesitated for a moment. She had indeed heard the name “Nitya,” knew that she was the adventurer who’d been making headlines these past two years. She was also known for not getting along with the police, but she might actually be able to help… After some thought, she stepped aside, whispering,

“Come in.”

The three followed her into the house and sat down in the living room on the first floor. The other, taller girl whispered something to her, then brought them some tea.

“My name is Courtney. Her name is Ariane,” she softly introduced herself and the other girl. Then she got straight to the point. “What do you want to know?”

“Before we begin the investigation, I want to check on my assistant’s condition,” Selene glanced at the two slightly haggard-looking girls. She discreetly observed the condition of the house.

Very clean, and tidy. A door at the back of the living room led directly to a small garden. The furniture clearly showed two different styles. One was simple, wooden, and practical. The other was ornate, full of carvings and paintings… Was it the original furniture of the house, and the furniture the artist bought later?

Selene sniffed the air, catching the faint scent of flowers from the small garden… She rubbed her brow, feeling like she was missing something.

“The young lady from yesterday?” Courtney answered immediately. “She arrived in the late afternoon, went to Jose’s room… the scene… then talked with us for a while. She left around dusk.”

Selene frowned slightly. The answer was exactly what she expected, very normal… which wasn’t normal. She asked,

“Which direction did she go?”

“I don’t know,” Courtney answered decisively, “After I walked her out, I didn’t see her again.”

Richter asked,

“It was a white-haired, green-eyed elven lady, correct?”

“Yes.”

Seeing that he had spoken, Selene handed the conversation over to Richter, her gaze sweeping across the room, not bothering to hide it. Ariane, who had been very quiet, seemed a little displeased with this, but didn’t say anything.

Richter paused, not continuing with his questions about Louise, but turning his attention to the “artist.”

“The unfortunate gentleman’s name is Jose Jesus Farias, correct? He seems to be from Mittal… I hear he’s a painter. Could I see his work?”

Courtney was startled by his sudden change of topic, and it took her a moment to reply.

“He did say he was from Mittal. But how did you know?”

Richter calmly replied,

“Actually, he’s a famous painter in the South Continent, a true ‘Painter.’ I’ve heard of him. I’m… a fan.”

His friendly demeanor and the information he revealed intrigued Courtney. And after expressing his regret at Jose’s passing, subtly indicating that he was on their side and would definitely uncover the “truth,” Courtney immediately warmed up to him.

“He liked to paint on the second and third floors. He thought the scenery outside would inspire him… His paintings are mostly on the third floor and in the attic. It’s less humid there,” Courtney said. She was also friendlier towards Selene.

“If possible, we’d like to see… the scene… and his paintings,” Selene said, following Richter’s lead.

“This is also to uncover the truth. For you, and for Jose,” she said, pausing for a moment. She glanced at the small garden. “To bring justice.”