Death Ascension - Chapter 105

Deon rode a luxurious carriage on his way to the Royal Investigations Bureau. They passed by the castle gates and sped through the busy streets of the capital. The young prince absentmindedly looked out the carriage window.

He sat cross-legged on the soft leather seat with the morning sun shining dazzlingly unto his face. It has been two months since Prince Deon contracted with Mikael and his body had slowly adapted to the ghost’s frequent possession.

Unbeknownst to them, the Integration skill had one side effect—it was that the physical features of both souls melted together with prolonged exposure to assimilation. Hence, Prince Deon’s appearance had drastically changed to accommodate Mikael’s.

His once round cheeks have shed much of their baby fat. His round hazel brown eyes had likewise changed to piercing golden-brown ones with flecks of green. Above all, he grew several inches taller, and his muscles visibly toned.

Everyone who saw the third prince after a long while was shocked at his change. They thought his mediocre appearance suddenly turned attractive due to late puberty. After all, the prince would soon turn 16.

However, contrary to his elegant features, Deon was still just a young boy prone to overthinking. Inside his mind was a chaotic discourse with Mikael.

“Sir, do you have a plan? I have no idea what to do!”

“I’ve no clue as well. Do you think I’m so great that I can be a detective just because I have the system? I was just an ordinary college dropout in my past life.”

“Huh? Then, how do we solve this case?”

“Well… I’m sure things will work out somehow. If all else fails, let’s ask our genius, Sir Finn, for a suggestion.”

“WHAAT?! So, you proposed this bet without thinking of a solution?”

“Uhh… y-yeah?” Cold sweat formed on Mikael’s temples. He finally realized that he might have been blinded by his desire to find George’s friends as soon as possible that he jumped the gun without any plans at all.

‘D*mn! the kid’s right. I don’t know jack sh*t about conducting investigations!’

And so, the duo drowned in their turbulent thoughts even as they arrived at a large building located on the east end of the capital.

The Investigations Bureau building was a three-story infrastructure with tall white columns and polished marble floors. Its architecture reminded Mikael of old supreme court designs on Earth since the impression they gave off was just as grave and forbidding.

On either side of the wide-open double doors were rows of armed knights standing guard with stiff expressions.

“Wow… for some reason, this place is making me nervous,” Mikael mumbled inside the Medium.  Maybe it was because he was judged as a second-level sinner in the Underworld Court that Mikael felt like courthouses and himself don’t jive well together.

“Your Highness! My apologies for being late. You’ve arrived earlier than expected.” A middle-aged bespectacled man wearing a crisp navy-blue uniform gasped for air as he ran toward Deon.

The sweaty man put a hand over his left chest and deeply bowed, “Welcome to the Royal Investigations Bureau, Your Highness. I am Sir Gordon Blake, Senior Investigator of the Second Unit. I was tasked by His Majesty to supervise you and report on your progress for the duration of your stay.”

‘Ahh… so, he’s gonna be the king’s man, huh? Will probably nitpick on every wrong move too. D*mn that sly king.’ Mikael inwardly thought as they were led through winding halls bustling with people.

Like Moses to the Red Sea, the crowd parted and bowed as Deon passed.

‘This never gets old.’ Mikael smugly smirked at his partner’s display of authority.

However…

“Hey, wasn’t that the third prince? He looks different. Anyway, what is he doing here?”

“I heard he asked to be sent here.”

“Said he’s going to solve the serial kidnapping case… as if he could when WE haven’t even found anything for a year.”

“What?! Seriously? What trouble will he bring this time?”

“Does he think solving cases are child’s play? Isn’t he just looking down on us?”

“I think that newspaper article from a month ago inflated his ego so much that he actually thinks he’s capable.”

“I agree.  We are busy enough as it is. But now we’ll have to babysit that brat because of his whims.”

The people chattered as soon as they thought they were out of Deon’s earshot.

Too bad for them, Mikael was trailing behind his partner to gauge the prince’s current public image.

‘Yeah. This never gets old too.’ Mikael hung his head as he drifted along.

He thought the article was enough to change the boy’s reputation for the better, but it wasn’t. His fifteen years of incompetence solidified his image of a useless royal and only a constant display of greatness can change it.

‘That’s why we need to succeed in solving this case!’ the ghost pumped his fist and sped towards Sir Gordon and his partner.

The trio entered a large room at the end of a corridor.

Inside were rows of cabinets filled with numerous files arranged in chronological order. On one side was a long mahogany table topped with a mana crystal-operated lamp, some pens and ink, and a box full of files.

“Your highness, to aid you in your investigation, we have collected all the files related to the serial kidnappings.” Sir Gordon gestured to the heavy box of files, “If you have any questions, please feel free to ask any of my subordinates…”

Then, as if remembering something important, the senior investigator gasped.

“Ah! I apologize for my lack of manners, your highness. Would you like some tea? How about pastries? Also, we can move to a better room if you wish.”

From his actions, it was clear as day that this middle-aged man thought of Deon as a child who merely wanted to play—just like every other employee in the Bureau.

Deon sighed.

He was used to such treatment, so he let it slide.

“I’m alright. Don’t mind me and just go on your way. I’ll be staying here until evening to review the cases.” The prince moved to sit on the plushy chair behind the table and frowned.

Everything in this place was like a silent insult– From the overly plushy chair to the offer of pastries.

As if they were telling him to stop role-playing as a detective and just go home.

Still, the young prince pulled the heavy box and got down to business.

‘You’ll see… We’ll definitely catch that kidnapper!”

–Chapter end–