act10d5

Righto. No matter how many times I hear it, it still gets my heart racing!

Indeed.

But in my opinion, it's after the culprit is found that the real thinking, the real interesting bit begins.

What do you mean?

Allow me to answer your question with another question, May. Upon cornering the criminal, and after arriving at the truth, what is it the detective should do?

Should she announce the truth to everyone, securing a conviction?

Even when the truth is clear, the law may from time to time be an ineffective remedy. What then, can she do?

Does she allow this criminal to get away with his crimes? Or does she take the law into her own hands?

Such things happen in the real world too. With no simple solution.

If I were her...

...Hmm.

Did you just want to drop that one on us?

What are you even talking about, Istina? You've been acting off all day. Are you feeling alright?

...No, no fever?

...I'm sorry?

A detective's duty is to uncover the truth. The rest is up to the police, of course. She can't play judge, jury, and executioner.

Every part of the justice system plays a role. The police, the courts, and detectives like us. Isn't that obvious?

What's that face now? Did I say something so shocking?

Of course I know a detective can't legally convict a criminal.

I just never expected to hear you talk sense...

Hey now! What's that supposed to mean?!

Nothing. Just talking to myself.

Now, given the world we live in, we've got a fair number of people who pass their days killing and killing. Murder may not seem a crime of particularly immediate concern, but we'll set that aside for the moment.

It remains our duty, as detectives, to seek out the truth and uphold the law to the best of our abilities.

We may not pass judgment. We may not go above the law. We may not exact our own justice.

To do harm to others, no matter how we may package it, is an immoral act. The character of such behavior is immutable.

Indeed. You're right...

Whether or not the crime is ever known to others, whether or not judgment is ever passed, the knowledge of the crime lives forever within the criminal.

And it is the detective who digs out that truth! Ah ha! Just saying things like that feels so stupendously cool!

The knowledge of the crime...

You're right.

No matter the justification, regardless of whether or not it is known to the world, what's done is done.

And someday...

Oh my, our little chat here has turned rather dour.

...Sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up.

Oh no, it was quite the enlightening discussion to witness. But on the rare occasion we meet again for afternoon tea, let's discuss something a bit lighter.

Yes. Good idea.

The tea's gone cold.

Hm? Is that...?

What is it, May? You stood up just to have something catch your eye?

It's, well, see for yourselves. What's that outside the window?

Hm? The window? Let me see.

Oh, it's... flying? And flying this way.

Looks like some sort of drone?

A drone?

It is a drone... But what is it doing out here? Actually, I think it's caught on the rigging.

Ah! Well, if it's attached to the landship, it can't be a threat, eh? Nothing to worry about then.

Upsies.

Are you mad?! Don't just go diving out windows!

Hehe, gotcha——

May! Watch your footing!

Eh?

Waaaah——

*Gasp*!

Anna!

Phew! Thank heaven it's you.

She slipped just like that.

Her body wafted back and forth, the breeze blowing her long hair, so clean it clashed with the scene around us. That stark contrast made it seem like the entire episode was nothing but a dream.

Pull me up, Anna.

I froze. Silent.

...Anna?

With a light touch, the dream slipped away.

No words. No sound. Just a few small marks on my fingertips.

...Anna, please, what are you doing?!

I just watched her fall.

May! That was so reckless! Are you hurt?

It definitely hurts, but I'm alright. Nothing permanent.

Oh, but there's a note taped to the drone!

And it's for you, Natalya.

Huh? For me?

Let me see.

Ah!

May...

Hm?

Wow, what happened? You look like you've seen a ghost!

...I'm fine.

Are you sure? You're definitely not sick? I wouldn't think any less of you.

*Sigh*...

Fool.

What?

What kind of absolute moron would dive out a window and go hanging from the rigging just to get her hands on a mysterious drone?

A woman with a brain would use a tool, or ask me to use my Arts!

Well I didn't think of that, okay?!

Use your head next time!

Don't scare me like that. Idiot.

Give me your hand.

Eh? No need for that, I'm really okay.

You scratched your hand on the windowsill.

Don't play dumb with me. I see right through you. You have a terrible poker face.

Ugh.

Your eyes are way too sharp.

As a 'junior detective,' keen powers of observation are a must, no?

Ack.

Well, it's not a deep cut. We'll just wipe it clean, apply some disinfectant... and we're done.

But you'll still want to have a medic operator look at it, no matter how small the wound.

It's nothing serious. Don't get so worked up!

But thanks all the same. Hehe.

*Sigh*.

The note is a summons from Silence.

Dr. Silence?