It was time to investigate. Sophie and Fiona found quite a few things that could be important. Sophie was worried about Ms. Sonda's situation, but she still hoped that the rumors about the Sondas working together with the mafia were not true.
Sophie: "Hmm..."
Fiona: "First, we need contacts. How close were these people to the Sondas?"
Sophie: "Hmm."
Fiona: "...I'll start with the victim Eddison Gianlugi, since it's a serious case."
Sophie: "Hahhh... You just don't want me doing it because you're worried I'll feel terrible if I find out the Sondas were involved."
Fiona: "Hahhh... Fine, you do it then. But please... don't take it too hard, alright?"
Sophie: "Okay."
Fiona: "Good. You take Eddison Gianlugi. Do you have any suggestions about which case seems important?"
Sophie: "...Hmm. The case that won't leave my mind is Mario Sirigu. I don't know why, but... Mario Sirigu... well... he was a businessman, not a politician."
Fiona: "Hmmm..."
Sophie: "He had something to do with politics. Well, his father did. Stefano Sirigu. But that was a long time ago, and his father died when Mario was only three years old."
Fiona: "Good. Then I'll take him."
Sophie: "Good... Um... I still have my communicator."
Fiona: "Yeah. Mine's broken. Could you call and ask them?"
Sophie: "Okay."
She made the call.
Sophie: "Hello?"
Dark Umbrella Member: "Yes?"
Sophie: "This is Sophie Valeria, detective of Dark Umbrella, Lilly Moon Division. Fiona and I are on a mission regarding Ms. Sonda's disappearance. We need some documents regarding the murders of Eddison Gianlugi and Mario Sirigu. Contacts, connections, and so on."
Dark Umbrella Member: "Understood. We'll send a large amount of documents through the printer. You do have one, right?"
Sophie: "Ugh... Damn. I forgot mine."
Fiona: "No problem."
She placed hers on the table.
Fiona: "I've got mine."
Sophie: "Printer Number 30, please. It belongs to Lilly Moon... Lina Adelheid."
Dark Umbrella Member: "Understood."
She hung up.
Fiona: "Good thing Lina gave it to me. She said she didn't really need it anyway."
Sophie: "She's really sweet."
Meanwhile...
Lina: "Mmm."
Cossette: "Got you."
Lina: "Oh no... You're really good. Hehehe."
Cossette: "Now it's your turn to count."
Meanwhile...
Sophie: "Hmm."
Bzzzz.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Sophie: "Huh?"
Fiona: "Looks like it's time."
Sophie: "Mhm..."
They looked through the documents. There were also photographs from the crime scenes.
Sophie: "Ugh..."
Fiona: "...Oh... Hahh... Damn."
The photographs showed the bodies.
Sophie: "Bbbbb... Bleaargh!"
Fiona: "(Cough)... (Cough)..."
Sophie: "I knew they were murdered brutally, but this... this is sick."
Fiona: "...(Cough)..."
The corpses were completely torn apart. Faces and body parts mangled beyond recognition.
Sophie: "Oh..."
Fiona: "Anyway... (Cough)... let's continue investigating. (Cough)... My goodness..."
She quickly went into the kitchen.
Fiona: "Bleaargh!"
Sophie: "Oh dear... Looks like we're both going to throw up."
Fiona: "Anyone who murders even a child like this... deserves no mercy. (Cough)... Hmm... alright."
She put the photos away.
Fiona: "If we have to look at them again, we'll throw up again. So let's leave them aside for now, okay?"
Sophie: "Yeah."
Several hours later...
Sophie: "Hahhhhh..."
Fiona: "Here."
Sophie: "Oh, thanks."
It was a fruit drink.
Sophie: "I really need to know what's going on."
Fiona: "And how's your investigation going? (Drinks)"
Sophie: "...Hahhh... It doesn't look good for the Sondas. Eddison wasn't a good friend of theirs. In fact, he wanted to oppose them. But... as we know, he's dead."
Fiona: "Hmmm..."
Sophie: "And yours?"
Fiona: "Mario Sirigu wasn't particularly friendly with the Sondas either."
Sophie: "Mmm... So that means..."
Fiona: "It looks like Viktor was telling the truth. The Sondas are traitors."
Sophie: "So do we have to kill them now?"
Fiona: "Dark Umbrella will certainly do something. But this still isn't enough evidence. Just because they weren't friends doesn't prove they murdered anyone. However, with Mario there was something that disturbed me."
Sophie: "What?"
Fiona: "A few days before his death..."
She took a document.
Fiona: "Before his death, he reported something. Someone wanted to kill him. He called the police several times, and strangely enough, none of his panic calls were taken seriously. At first I thought he was just paranoid. But then I found this picture."
She showed it to Sophie.
Sophie: "Ugh... Is that a person standing there?"
Fiona: "Yes. The person was holding the severed head of a pig. That can't be a coincidence. What's even stranger is that this person had been watching him for days before the murder. He also kept receiving letters. These letters contained a code."
"In the first letter, Sirigu kept crossing out certain letters. When you put them together, you get B... E... L... L."
"In the second letter: G... L... O... C... K... E."
"In the third: C... L... O... C... K."
"In the fourth and final letter: C... L... O... C... H... E."
"And finally: C... A... M... P... A... N... A."
Sophie: "Wait... Bell?"
Fiona: "I don't know. I don't speak every language."
Sophie: "Bell means bell in the old language. Glocke is German. Clock... English. Cloche..."
Fiona: "Bell in the Frankish language. And the last one?"
Sophie: "Also means bell in the Linish language."
Fiona: "Bell..."
Sophie: "Hmm... But what does it mean?"
Fiona: "Hahhh... No idea."
Sophie: "Bell... Bell..."
Memory.
Dong... Dong...
Sophie: "Huh! I know!"
Fiona: "What?!"
Sophie: "In the Sonda castle there's a specific building. Inside is a bell called the Bell of Blood. That's where they used to place children in animal blood. At least in the past. That's what the bell was used for."
Fiona: "Hmm..."
Sophie: "...And that heirloom belongs to the Sondas."
Fiona: "Hmmm... I think we have our answer."
Sophie: "Yeah... The Sondas."
Fiona: "Are the criminals."
Sophie: "I can't believe it. I just can't."
Fiona: "Sophie."
Sophie: "They took care of me, Fiona. They were like parents to me. Why do I have to lose my parents again?"
Fiona: "You don't have to assume they'll all be executed. Maybe only some of them are involved."
Sophie: "Ugh."
Fiona: "Yeah. It doesn't mean the entire family is guilty. Maybe some of them don't even know what's happening."
Sophie: "And how are we supposed to find that out?"
Fiona: "By paying the Sondas a visit."
Sophie: "Hmmm..."
Fiona: "You know the family. We can visit them. What do you think?"
Sophie: "And the other victims?"
Fiona: "You mean the murdered people? Two cases are enough for now. We need to hurry. We don't even know if Ms. Sonda is still alive. She may already be dead."
Sophie: "Mmm... okay."
They stood up.
Sophie: "I'll drive."
Fiona: "Okay."
They got into the car and Sophie drove.
Sophie: "But why didn't they say anything about Ms. Sonda... I mean Theresa?"
Fiona: "That's a good question. Why didn't they act worried? Why would they want people to think Theresa means nothing to them?"
Sophie: "No idea."
She continued driving.
Fiona: "Hmmm..."
Sophie: "...Mmm."
Suddenly she stopped the car.
Fiona: "Huh? Sophie?"
Sophie: "Ugh... Damn. My head hurts."
Fiona: "Hmm."
She looked at her.
Fiona: "...Sophie. Your nose is bleeding."
Sophie: "What?"
Fiona: "Yeah. Your nose is bleeding."
She handed her a handkerchief.
Fiona: "Calm down, okay?"
Sophie: "Mm."
Fiona: "Come on. Let me drive."
Sophie: "Hahh... Okay."
They switched places and Fiona started driving.
Sophie: "Um... Fiona, aren't you driving a little fast?"
Fiona: "We're in a hurry."
Sophie: "Okay. We just need to keep going straight. That's where the Sonda house is. I mean, the castle."
Fiona: "Okay."
Sophie: "Hmm."
They drove toward the castle.
Sophie: "Hmm... I'll go in first, alright?"
Fiona: "Sure."
Sophie stepped out and knocked on the door. A maid appeared.
Maid: "Oh, Miss Valeria."
Sophie: "Hey... Um... Long time no see, Beta."
Beta: "Hehehe..."
Sophie: "Um... I'm here on important business, so I brought someone from Dark Umbrella. Fiona Philomela Househould. One of the Ravens."
Beta: "Oh..."
Sophie: "Fiona, come on."
Fiona: "Mhm."
She stepped out and walked over.
Beta: "Hello, Miss Househould."
Fiona: "Fiona is enough. You have a cute maid, Sophie."
Sophie: "Oh, Beta is cute."
Beta: "Ugh... Mm... Hehehe... Thank you very much... (blushes) ...Um, please come inside."
Fiona: "Thank you."
Sophie: "Thanks, Beta."
They entered the castle.
Beta: "Lord Sonda is a little busy right now. Since you came without calling ahead, you'll have to wait. Would you like me to bring you something?"
Sophie: "Water, please."
Fiona: "Hmm?"
Beta: "Then I'll hurry."
She quickly left.
Sophie: "Hm."
Fiona: "A large castle."
Sophie: "Yeah."
A few minutes later...
Beta: "Here you are."
Sophie: "Oh, thank you."
Fiona: "Thank you."
Beta stood there smiling.
Sophie: "Why don't you sit down?"
Beta: "Oh, but I can't."
Fiona: "Hmm? Come on, it's alright, my dear."
Beta: "Ugh... Hehehe... Okay."
She sat down.
Beta: "Um, Miss Sophie... How old is this woman here? Fiona?"
Sophie: "Oh, she's the same age as me. Twenty-three."
Beta: "Ohh... You're very beautiful."
Sophie: "Hehehe. Tell her that. Fiona looks serious, but she's nice."
Beta: "Uh... Um..."
Fiona: "Hmm?"
Beta: "Um... Miss Fiona... I just wanted to say... you're... very beautiful."
Fiona: "Ugh... Excuse me?... (blushes) ...Um..."
Sophie: "Hehehe. It's alright, Beta. She's not used to hearing that."
Beta: "Oh... sorry."
Fiona: "No problem, Beta. Hehe... Thank you very much."
Beta: "Hmmm."
Her cat ears twitched.
Fiona: "Oh, cat ears."
Sophie: "Yeah. She's a demi."
Fiona: "Ugh."
Beta: "Would you like to touch them?"
Fiona: "May I?"
Beta: "...Sure."
Fiona: "Okay."
She gently touched them.
Beta: "Mmm..."
Fiona: "Ohhh... They're so fluffy."
Then footsteps echoed through the hall.
Mr. Sonda: "Oh... Hello, Sophie. I didn't know you were planning to visit us."
The two women stood up.
Sophie: "Hello... Padre... Um... this is Fiona Philomela Househould... also known as Lady Mystery in the Dark Umbrella."
Mr. Sonda: "Hmm... Is there something?"
Fiona: "Your daughter Theressa is missing."
Mr. Sonda: "Excuse me?"
Fiona: "You didn't know about that?"
Mr. Sonda: "No... how could I? How long has she been missing?"
Sophie: "Padre... she's been missing for... months already..."
Mr. Sonda: "Hmm... and you're only telling me this now?"
Fiona: "Your daughter, not ours."
Mr. Sonda: "Hmm?..."
Sophie: "Forgive her... hehe... Fiona is a bit direct when it comes to things like that."
Mr. Sonda: "Hmm... the Househould family... so... there are survivors after all..."
Fiona: "Hmm."
Mr. Sonda: "Hmph... You look so bored... am I really that dull?"
Sophie: "That's just how she always looks, Padre."
Fiona: "Yes... sorry... but... I don't have a reason to smile."
Mr. Sonda: "You smiled at Beta."
Fiona: "She's cute."
Mr. Sonda: "Hmm... I see... Beta, go to my room. I'll be back shortly."
Beta: "O-okay..."
She went upstairs.
Sophie: "Hmm."
Fiona: "Alright then... have you heard anything from Ms. Sonda? Anything that... somehow seemed confusing or strange?"
Mr. Sonda: "No... not really..."
Fiona: "For someone who's your daughter, you know surprisingly little about her, don't you?"
Mr. Sonda: "Watch your tongue."
Fiona: "Hahh... your daughter could be dead."
Mr. Sonda: "Hmm... Ms. Sonda would never just die like that. If she did... then she failed."
Fiona: "Well, she couldn't exactly predict that her own family would be behind it."
Mr. Sonda: "Mmm!"
Sophie: "Padre... please... tell me... is it true? Are you working with the Mafia?"
Mr. Sonda: "Do you really think that, Sophie? My goodness, I raised you."
Fiona: "Yeah, yeah... raised her... but back then you weren't a politician. Now you've gotten involved in politics... and well... people change. There's a famous saying: if you want to know a person's true character, give them power."
Mr. Sonda: "Ugh..."
Sophie: "Padre... this is important."
Mr. Sonda: "Hahh... come with me."
They followed him.
Mr. Sonda: "This way, please."
It was the third room. It was dark.
Sophie: "Padre, there's nothing here."
Bang!
She watched as Fiona was shot in the shoulder.
Fiona: "Ughh..."
Sophie: "No, Fiona!"
She turned around, and he shot her in the foot.
Bang!
Sophie: "Pad... re..."
Mr. Sonda closed the door.
Sophie: "Ughh..."
Mr. Sonda: "I'm sorry, Sophie..."
He walked forward and stepped on Fiona's stomach.
Fiona: "Urk..."
Mr. Sonda: "Hmph... you've found out too much..."
He tied them up with ropes.
Sophie: "Padre..."
Fiona: "Ghhhhh..."
Mr. Sonda: "Hmm... the Mafia could pay well for the two of you. You're both pretty girls."
Sophie: "Padre... what... are you talking about?"
Mr. Sonda: "Don't you get it, Sophie? You're right. We work with the Mafia. And we do it for this beautiful city."
Fiona: "Ghhh..."
Mr. Sonda: "Hmph... my people will take care of you and your friend."
He took his jacket and left the room.
Mr. Sonda: "Hmph."
He shut the door.
Sophie: "Ghhh..."
Fiona: "Urk... ghh..."
Sophie: "Oh no... Fiona, your shoulder!"
Fiona: "Damn it... that bastard... I'm going to kill him."
Ms. Sonda: "Yeah... exactly... that's what I said too."
Fiona: "Ugh."
Sophie: "Theressa!"
It was Ms. Sonda.
Theressa: "...Hey..."
She was tied up with ropes.
Theressa: "...Damn... sorry you have to see me like this."
Fiona: "...What did he do to you?"
Sophie: "Ugh."
Theressa: "Let's just say... something that no father should ever do to his own daughter."
Sophie: "Ughh..."