September 14, 1882
Tak. Tak.
A soft, rhythmic tap echoed against the desk.
Antonio, deep in thought, started arranging the clues that he had found.
'He was shocked because someone he was close with attacked him, huh. But who could it be? Cedric? No, he wouldn't have cooperated if he was the one who attacked Evan. Who else was Evan close with?'
Thoughts rushed through his mind as he considered every possible scenario available to him.
Knock. Knock.
Antonio's attention immediately turned towards the door.
"Come in."
Austin walked in with a letter in his hands.
"Sir, here is a letter from Lord Cedric."
"Thank you. And why are you calling him Lord all of a sudden?"
"Well, we are currently in the office, so I thought to maintain etiquette."
"I see. Also, from next time, you don't need to knock on the door."
"Y-Yes, sir."
Antonio turned the envelope once in his hand, studying it for a brief moment before slipping a finger beneath the flap.
A quiet tear.
Antonio unfolded the letter.
***
September 14, 1882
To Detective Holmes,
As promised, I am writing to provide you with the details regarding my prior dealings with Lucien Graves.
Our feud took place two months ago, when both of us were competing with each other to become the Imperial Supplier of Spirits. Graves Mercantile initially had the backing of several nobles to strengthen its position, while Stuart Mercantile was more renowned in the market for its goods, allowing it to stand against Graves Mercantile on equal grounds.
After a few days, attacks followed on the shops owned by Graves Mercantile, which were proven to be orchestrated by defunct merchant guilds whose downfall had been orchestrated by Lucien himself. Despite that, Lucien went ahead and filed a suit against the Stuart merchant guild, claiming that we were behind the attacks. He also stated that he had secured proof in support of his claim, but when the time came, he could not present anything in court. Lucien Graves's actions were not carried out by himself alone, but also involved his entire Mercantile.
I trust this will be of use to your investigation.
Yours sincerely,
Cedric Stuart
***
His eyes moved across the page once. Then again, slower this time.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Cedric kept his word," he said. "Just not entirely."
"You mean he's lying?" Austin questioned.
"Not quite," he replied. "As I said before, we'll have to pick out the truth ourselves."
"Then, what is the truth according to your deduction?"
"Sit down."
"Yes, sir."
"The information on Lucien Graves that you provided stated that he was responsible for the downfall of several merchant guilds, and the letter states that some defunct merchant guilds were the ones behind the attacks on shops owned by Lucien. According to me, Cedric paid these defunct guilds and used their grudge towards Lucien to orchestrate the attacks," Antonio said while observing the letter.
"But there would still be traces that Cedric orchestrated the attacks, right?"
"Yeah, you're right. And I think Lucien did manage to collect some evidence regarding it," Antonio answered. "Which he was going to use in court."
Austin frowned as he heard Antonio's answer.
"Then why didn't he present it in court?" Austin questioned.
"It's not that he didn't present it—he wasn't able to," Antonio said. "The last line specifically states that 'Lucien Graves's actions were not carried out by himself alone, but also involved his entire Mercantile.' This means there was a traitor in Lucien's merchant guild—a high-ranking one at that—who erased the evidence against Cedric."
"But sir, how were you even able to figure all that out?" Austin questioned, scratching his head.
"Well, Antonio—I mean, I myself am the son of a merchant."
"Then, what is your next course of action going to be?"
"Have you completed your current course of action?" Antonio questioned as he leaned back in his chair, a smug smile forming on his face.
"…."
"Then I think you should complete it first before deciding what to do next."
"…Yes, sir," Austin answered, lacking any real enthusiasm.
***
September 15, 1882
Antonio sat at his desk in his room. A stack of papers lay spread before him—reports, statements, notes. The letter from Cedric rested slightly apart from the rest.
He had taken a leave of absence because yesterday Antonio had received another letter.
Nothing related to the case, but a letter from his father.
Victor Holmes.
His father—or rather, the real Antonio's father—had asked him to pay a visit to the orphanage with him today.
It wasn't anything sudden.
Antonio's father often paid visits to orphanages along with him at least three times a year.
This was one of them.
Setting aside all the papers, Antonio got ready and headed downstairs.
Near the gate, his father was waiting beside the carriage, instructing the servants.
Antonio approached slowly.
"Good morning, father," Antonio greeted.
Victor turned his gaze towards Antonio, studying him for a bit before returning the greeting.
"Good morning." His tone was indifferent.
Noctis already knew from Antonio's memories that the relationship between Antonio and his father wasn't the best, but it certainly wasn't anything he should be worried about.
The relationship between Antonio and his father became strained after Antonio insisted on majoring in the military instead of studying business and taking over the family mercantile.
The reason Antonio gave was that he wanted to bring honor to the Holmes family by achieving a high-ranking position and making his name known.
But his father objected to this idea, as there was no guarantee that he would succeed.
Even after graduating from the academy with top grades and acquiring a high-ranking position in the capital of the Blackthorn Empire, Victor refused to recognize Antonio's efforts, thus straining their relationship further.
But Antonio could not refuse to accompany Victor, as it was a family tradition followed even by the original Antonio.
Victor sat in the carriage, and Antonio followed behind.
The carriage moved steadily through the streets, the rhythmic sound of hooves echoing against stone.
Inside, silence settled between them.
Antonio sat by the window, his gaze fixed outward—not really looking at anything in particular.
Across from him, his father watched.
Not openly. Not directly.
But enough.
"I heard you've been working on a rather peculiar case," his father said at last, his voice even.
Antonio didn't respond immediately.
Not because Antonio couldn't.
But because this was something unfamiliar to Noctis.
"It certainly is," he said after a brief pause.
The carriage turned, the motion causing a slight sway.
Antonio adjusted slightly, his posture remaining composed.
"So, have you thought about it?" his father continued. "Inheriting the Holmes Mercantile, I mean."
Silence lingered between the two.
'Dammit. Ever since I came to this world, these damn merchants are not leaving me alone.'
Antonio's eyes lowered for a moment.
Then lifted again.
"Father," Antonio continued, "why are you still asking me that? When the time comes, I'll give you the answer you desire."
"And when will that time come, exactly?" Victor questioned, raising a brow.
"You're still well and healthy, and quite far from the age to retire. So, I don't currently see any reason for me to inherit the Mercantile."
"And what if you turn your back when I am no longer well and healthy enough?"
"As I said before, I'll give you the answer you desire."
Another pause.
"Anyway, I heard the case you're currently investigating involves the Stuarts. I know it's your field of work, but I suggest that you give up on the case," Victor said, his voice firm and filled with authority.
Antonio's expression didn't change.
But his eyes did.
Just slightly.
"And why is that? You're not the one investigating this case, are you?"
"I am saying this from experience. Getting involved with merchants like those will only bring you more harm than the fame you so desire."
"I'll take your suggestion into consideration, but it is up to me to decide whether to continue this investigation or not," Antonio replied firmly.
The carriage rolled on.
Between them, nothing more was said.
***
The carriage finally arrived at the orphanage.
Both Antonio and Victor stepped outside.
Antonio took a brief glance at the orphanage while the servants unloaded the supplies to donate.
"This is new. It's more rundown than the others we have visited in the past," Antonio remarked.
Victor listened silently for a moment, not taking his eyes off the orphanage.
After a brief pause, he answered,
"Even I myself don't know why I picked this one. It was almost like I felt… compelled."
"I see," Antonio replied as he turned to look at him.
He could not sense any lie in his voice.
For the first time, Antonio felt as if a merchant was speaking pure, unfiltered truth.
Turning his attention back to the orphanage, Antonio ordered the servants to move inside with the prepared donations.
'Well, might as well play along.'