act29side

A bright light shines through the windowsill that has been in disrepair for quite some time. Through the window, one can see that hardly any customers frequent the store, and there is a 'Store for sale' sign posted on the door.

Are you Herr Musial? We've been in touch before. Can you provide me with any additional details regarding the incident you mentioned previously?

Oh, it's you. I've been waiting a long time for you... The incident happened a long, long time ago, but I still remember it like it was yesterday. Back then, this jewelry store was renowned throughout Doppelhörnershof, and its prized treasure was the famous Azure Lodestar gemstone. If you gazed upon its deep yet pure blue, even for a moment...

The Azure Lodestar was once reserved by a prominent nobleman, but it was stolen on the last day of its public exhibit. This story is well-known, and I require his information as quickly as possible.

Sir, I'm already aware of this. It's been a long time since the Azure Lodestar was stolen. But how is it specifically related to this incident?

Let me finish. On the night it was stolen, I had invited the City Orchestra to play there. Just as the performance reached its climax, a terrible cacophony suddenly broke out, and chaos ensued. In its wake, the Azure Lodestar disappeared from right in front of everyone's eyes! The noise was exactly the same as what recently resurfaced. The thief must be the very same person you're investigating!

His account was similar to the description from back then, though there was no mention at all of the noise. At the time, there was a black market order from Sargon for the gem, and the delivery date was slated for the same day the gemstone was lost, but <color=#d41f1f>the transaction was never completed</color>.

Though, I do have a little tidbit here, not sure if you know it already or not. The missing Azure Lodestar actually ended up in Sargon...

In Sargon? Impossible! I personally placed the gemstone into the box and delivered it myself, but when I inspected the goods, there was only an ordinary stone inside! At the same time, the blinding Arts deployed at the venue were also broken through...

Could it be that the Sargonians deliberately swapped out the box to entrap me?

The real situation at the time: The subject of the investigation faked the theft in order to <color=#d41f1f>steal and sell the gemstone</color>, but didn't expect that the <color=#d41f1f>package had been swapped</color>.

The music of the heart sounds, resonating with the heartstrings of the subject and bringing back memories.

Just as the melody shows, and as you've admitted yourself, you broke your agreement with the buyer and prepared to secretly pawn off the gemstone at a high price under the guise of a theft, but unexpectedly, the real thief was behind you... Poetic justice, wouldn't you agree?

If not for that, I would've struck it rich a long time ago, and never would've ended up in the situation I'm in now...

I'll give it to you straight. All you need to do is spread the story that 'the noise at the concert was someone trying to steal jewelry from Musial's shop,' and there'll instantly be a steady stream of customers at your doorstep. Then, I'll package the inferior gems and sell them off, and we split the profit... thirty-seventy.

Musial changed the sign on his door to read, 'Store for sale, low price.' No useful information was garnered from him, and this line of investigation was closed.

Schumann is a well-known musician, the organizer of outdoor concerts in the Neuleopoldshof, and the composer of 'Erdenherrenwinter.' At the time of the incident, he was playing the piano onstage and experienced everything that happened firsthand. He has refused visitors until now.

His fingers dance lightly between the keys, the improvised beat matching my gradually-approaching footsteps. When I stop beside him, he ends his impromptu with a graceful glissando.

Professor Schumann, thank you for your time. Could you please tell me what you saw at the time of the incident?

Unfortunately, I don't have a whole lot to say about it. You say that there was a noise that interfered with my performance, but these things happen all the time – for example, the smacking of lips and tongues between audience members unable to control themselves. To be entirely honest, I'm not sure why anyone else would stop playing.

His articulations were deliberate and unrushed. Indeed, he did continue to play even as murmurs arose. However, <color=#d41f1f>there was actually a significant discrepancy between what he played and what was on the score</color>.

Please pardon me, but I've seen your original score. You seem to have made a number of adjustments when performing the third movement live. May I ask what your rationale was at the time?

The performance of music is not a rigid reproduction of the score, especially when the score itself is unsatisfactory. My current mood, my resonance with the opus, as well as any unexpected changes all become part of my interpretation.

To me, music is the voice of the heart. The voice of the heart as it exists at the moment... and only that moment.

His fingers once again perch atop the keys, and the melody that flows forth merges with his words. But at the end, <color=#d41f1f>his fingers produce a subtle yet out-of-place tone</color>.

That being the case, you should've been very satisfied with the performance you put on at the time, and the noise should not have affected you. Is that right?

No... I cannot accept that. That was my worst performance ever, and my expression was completely insufferable! Even as I completed the score, I still failed to understand how my own protagonist, struggling with her fate, felt as she walked into the cold winter of Erdenherre... But why is there a perfect melody in my memory, when I cannot bring it forth anymore...

At the time of the incident: The subject of the interview <color=#d41f1f>was extremely dissatisfied with his performance at the time of the incident</color>. It fell terribly short of his expectations – <color=#d41f1f>but he still conceives of a perfect melody within his mind</color>.

The music of the heart sounds, resonating with the heartstrings of the subject and bringing back memories.

As the melody shows, when you were incensed at your performance yet nevertheless threw yourself into your playing... What did you see right then?

I-I remember now! That's right, I heard it! That voice stepped into my melody, and my own performance followed it so naturally, until I could make sense of it...

Anger! Intense anger! That is the only fitting emotion! You're all wrong – that was not meaningless cacophony. Because it appeared, I was able to craft my perfect melody...

Professor Schumann grew excited, and ignored me to throw himself into his performance. I learned from him that the noise might've contained emotions of anger, and closed this line of investigation.

Baron Lange is a noble of Zwillingstürme. At the time of the incident, he was seen holding hands with his female companion near the source of the noise. Perhaps he noticed something and decided to look into it, but he insisted that he had never been there in the first place.

He slaps the table vigorously, his features compressing in rage, almost as if flames were ready to burst from his eyes. This happened right as his wife walked into the house.

There's no need to be so upset. I only care about the case at hand... In order to clear your good name, can you please tell us what you were doing at the time?

Of course! But I'm warning you now – you know what will happen if you dare slander a noble. Dear, fetch me my notebook, would you? Let's take a look... that evening... Ah, I was a guest at Vizegraf Giffey's spire, so he can vouch for me. Is there anything else?

Vizegraf Giffey and Baron Lange are on very good terms, but the Vizegraf was not in Zwillingstürme that day. These are photos of his family on the bookshelf. Among them, <color=#d41f1f>the young woman here seems to match the description of the female companion in the intel</color>.

You two are such a perfect match, I can't help but want to learn more about your family. Meine Dame, if you don't mind... who is the beautiful young lady in this photo?

What does that have to do with your case–– Ah, of course, dear, I'm not mad... She's my daughter's etiquette teacher and comes by three times a week. That day... was indeed one of the days she came. She left right after the lesson ended... How am I supposed to know where she went?

I notice a bouquet of light blue flowers in a vase on his desk. They are a seasonal specialty of Kreis Erdenherre, and are extremely rare in Zwillingstürme. <color=#d41f1f>The organizer of the concert only had them brought over recently, to contribute to the atmosphere of the venue</color>.

Truly, I thought wrongly of you, Your Excellency. You are a thoughtful man indeed. Flowers of this variety are hard to come by in the Einwald region. Did you find these just for your wife?

These... Ah, yes. My wife enjoys gardening and such as a hobby, which I always keep in mind. As for the flowers, I specifically brought... Er, had Vizegraf Giffey bring them over. You certainly have quite refined tastes.

At the time of the incident: Baron Lange was appreciating the moving performance along with his daughter's etiquette teacher. <color=#d41f1f>Even as passions ran wild, he did not forget to pluck some of the nearby flowers</color>.

The music of the heart sounds, resonating with the heartstrings of the subject and bringing back memories.

Just as the melody shows, you picked these flowers that night, held hands with the etiquette teacher, and enjoyed the performance. Do you recall the scene now?

Dear, it's not what you think! Nina and I are just friends! Sh-She's like a sister to me. What happened at the concert was just an accident... that strange noise occurred, and I was worried she would be frightened, so I grabbed her hand and led her away... Where are you going? Let me explain...

Baron Lange's wife slammed the door and stormed out, and the Baron continued sighing. I was unable to garner any useful information from him, and closed this line of investigation.

This unidentified caster was seen at a concert in Bachshof, leaving the scene in a hurry when the noise broke out. He has been suspected of instigating many Arts-related disturbances in the past. Many citizens reported him as the instigator of this incident.

After I asked my first question, he continued fiddling with his Arts equipment and did not answer.

Maybe you didn't hear my question. Let me repeat myself – what were you doing at the time of the incident?

I heard you... It wasn't me.

He fell silent again as soon as he finished speaking. I had no other leads, so I could only keep asking.

You know who I act on behalf of. You're just as obligated to answer my questions as if you were in the spire. Perhaps now you'd be willing to talk about why you were at the performance?

That being the case, you should also know where my own loyalties lie in the spire. So... no comment.

He is extremely tight-lipped, and I can't get any useful information out of him. Just as I am about to leave, I notice something hidden behind a stack of books on the bookshelf. It seems to be... <color=#d41f1f>a figure of a certain Columbian rockstar</color>?

'The Creative Aesthetics of Conjuration Arts' ...You seem to have a number of illuminating books here that I find myself rather interested in. Mind if I borrow a copy or two?

Wait, hold on! Don't touch anything–– C'mon, I-I'll answer your questions... About the music that day–– Uh, during the performance, I showed up late because I was dealing with some important matters, and by the time I got there... Uh, anyways, the situation there wasn't what I was expecting at all! Just as I was getting ready to leave, I heard that terrible noise...

At the time of the incident: The subject of the interview was <color=#d41f1f>leaving angrily because the concert wasn't what he expected</color>. It is reported that the rock concert originally scheduled for that day was swapped out last minute for a classical music performance.

The music of the heart sounds, resonating with the heartstrings of the subject and bringing back memories.

As the melody shows, you were indeed preparing to leave the venue due to a last-minute change in the genre of the concert... My apologies. Did you notice anything else that might've been unusual?

I have nothing to say to you! Do you have any idea how angry I am? How much I suffered? I shelled out triple the price to get a front-row seat. I rushed over, but who knew that it had been changed to a free open-air concert? And then I get my ass reported? All because I cast Arts on my wand to make it glow that ONE time... Isn't that what Columbians do at concerts?

The caster, who revealed himself to be a fan of rock and roll, slumped back into his chair. I was unable to garner any useful information from him, and closed this line of investigation.

Schimmel is a gendarme responsible for security in Weinshof. He claims to have apprehended the instigator of the noise at the concert, but did not want me to meet him.

The interrogation report he handed me was full of set-ups and lies. Right now, I'm more worried about the safety of this so-called 'instigator' than the actual investigation itself.

I've read your interrogation report... You don't want me to meet the suspect, so can you please tell me how he caught your notice?

What else do you need to know? Pain in the ass... He was sneaking around at the scene, and an Infected to boot. From all my years of experience as a gendarme, I could tell from a glance. Hmph. Those damn Infected, I know them all too well. I reckon more than half the cases around the city are caused by their ilk.

He speaks with conviction, but his gaze is wandering elsewhere. <color=#d41f1f>He's trying to lie his way out</color>. I need to ask for more details to expose him.

Can you provide me with a few more details? For example, how did you catch him in the act, and how did you apprehend him?

I saw him sneakily take out one of those vile Arts units, and he started messing around with his little parlor tricks, which is where that awful noise came from. I caught him off-guard, so I rushed forward, and subdued him on the spot. His Arts didn't do a damn thing to me... Ahem, said a bit too much there. I've always been the type to keep things on the down-low.

He's pulling this out his rear. The investigation revealed that before the noise broke out at the concert, <color=#d41f1f>someone witnessed him having a verbal altercation with an Infected person next to him</color>.

You mentioned the Infected. I'm curious what you think about Weinshof's stance towards them. You know, how we see them at concerts all the time...

Hah, they're a bunch of dirty connivers, especially at concerts... The grating noise of their breathing is an insult to music! I have no clue how the higher-ups can show them that much courtesy, but I ain't about that! I have a duty to use my authority to keep those lousy pests away from the rest of us. Let's see them try to disobey!

The actual situation: The interviewee had a dispute with the Infected individual. He maliciously regarded this person's refusal to follow his rude demands as a violation of his authority as a gendarme.

The music of the heart sounds, resonating with the heartstrings of the subject and bringing back memories.

As the melody shows, you abused the authority of the Gendarmerie at the concert, arrested an innocent person on false pretenses when you failed to drive them out, and deliberately retaliated... Aren't you ashamed of your conduct?

...Ashamed? Hahaha, why should I be? I come from a long line of casters serving the spire for generations, but I don't have a shred of talent for Arts and can't feel its essence, so all I could do was become a gendarme. Yet <i>they</i> can throw around Arts at will, just from having a few rocks sticking out of their body? Those disgusting opportunists! Ashamed of what?

I rescued the framed Infected, and Gendarme Schimmel was disciplined. I was unable to garner any useful information from the subject, and closed this line of investigation.

Völler is a sausage vendor in Weinshof. His wife claims he witnessed the agitators causing noise around the concert, but he himself was reluctant to be interviewed.

He had red cheeks that may indicate a drinking problem, though his wife claims he stopped drinking a long time ago. I don't expect him to have a good temper.

Herr Völler, could you tell me again what you witnessed?

Like I said, I was flipping sausages when the noise started, and saw a suspicious figure sneaking into the alley.

I'm certain it's one of those lunatics who worship the twisted horns. They're always causing trouble, and it's hurting my sausage sales.

His gaze is drifting, and he keeps tapping his palm with a finger. <color=#d41f1f>He is lying.</color>

What kind of noise was it? Could you describe it?

What else could it be? Screeching, cacophony... my ears have been defiled! It's an insult to music! It ruined the performance!

An ambiguous description. His customers reported that he was alone at his stall that day and closed early. He was witnessed dancing to music by the stall, <color=#d41f1f>a few empty beer cans lying on the ground nearby</color>.

I believe your wife was away from Zwillingstürme on that day. How is your relationship with your wife?

My wife? Why do you ask...? Great. I love her. She cares for me a lot. She can be a little strict at times, yes... but that's a good thing for the family, isn't it? Hey, what does that have to do with you, anyway? Shouldn't you be looking for the culprits?

At the time of the incident, the subject had <color=#d41f1f>stopped drinking</color> under the watchful eye of his wife. However, on the night of the incident, he was observed to be <color=#d41f1f>heavily drunk</color> at his stall.

The music of the heart sounds, resonating with the heartstrings of the subject and bringing back memories.

The melody reveals that you were enjoying a drink, or maybe a dozen drinks, that night while your wife was away. Do you recall it now?

Alright, alright, a friend gave me a case of Ernstheim beer...

You know, I just... I just couldn't take it down. When that ominous sound began, I... I knocked the case over and didn't hear anything.

Herr Völler's wife angrily dragged him away by his ear. No useful information was garnered from him, and this line of investigation was closed.

Buchner is a student of an Arts spire. She often appears at outdoor concerts for her own research, and therefore has experienced many noise disturbance incidents. According to her, there seems to be a pattern to them.

In order to explain it to me clearly, she pulls a roughly-chewed pen from her mouth and begins diagramming inside a notebook.

So you're saying that the noise contains a fixed rhythm?

Precisely! Look at the sound scores I've recorded from Bach, Wein, Doppelhörner, and here, Sorgfalt and Luton too... Do you see it? This passage–– the sounds are almost identical.

The anomalous noise has not surfaced for a number of days now, and I have no audio data of it. However, if her account is credible, the pattern in the sound may prove to be a breakthrough in the case.