Case 02: The Centaur Rendezvous

Case 02:
The Centaur Rendezvous

The report that the canals were poisoned spread throughout Lindworm quickly on a City Council bulletin. In accordance with Skadi’s instructions, the public relations division used careful wording to convey the information. The bulletin called for calm actions without causing panic. It claimed that the poison was extremely weak and wasn’t dangerous to otherwise-healthy aquatic monsters. It advised children, the elderly, and those with weak immune systems to take refuge in the temporary shelter set up in the Vivre River.

Since there were still no fatalities, the City Council directed efforts to monitor the canals’ water quality and investigate the cause of the poisoning. In the meantime, to be on the safe side, the bulletin recommended only drinking water that a slime monster had tested. Some residents went all the way to the harpy village in the Vivre Mountains to collect water. There was already confirmation that the water there wasn’t contaminated.

Skadi gave a speech in the town square encouraging everyone to act calmly. It helped that there hadn’t been deaths yet. Still, it was hard for residents to shake the shock of poison flowing through the canals. After only just resolving the Barometz issue, Lindworm was still on edge. There was a rumor that the Aluloona Plantation crops were contaminated, and whispers that the poison was the work of agents from the human realm who wanted to start a war.

Something had to be done as soon as possible. That forced the council members, including Skadi, to take strategic steps immediately.

Water flowed into the canals from a huge intake gate on Lindworm’s north side. The gate had been built because the canals’ water level differed from the river’s, and it used the latest technology available in Lindworm, no expense spared. Today, Glenn was visiting the water treatment center, which was part of the intake gate, with cyclops from the Kuklo Workshop. The treatment center cleaned river water to improve aquatic monsters’ quality of life.

Glenn barely understood the process. The machine seemed complicated at first glance, but in actuality, it was a simple device that ran the water through a filter. Normally, water went through the treatment center’s core and filtered through the inner parts before coming out into the canals. However, its flow was currently stopped. The cyclops busily inspected the filter and took it out for a closer view.

“Memé, how does it look?”

“Can’t you see that I’m working right now?!”

That was the response Glenn got when he tried speaking to a cyclops he knew well. But he didn’t mind. She was always like this.

The City Council also issued an emergency notice ordering severely ill patients to be transported to, and treated at, the Central Hospital. Cthulhy was in charge of this operation. The patrol team, meanwhile, was instructed to apprehend the poisoning culprit as soon as possible. This meant the city crawled with uniformed patrol team members at all hours. Even volunteer warriors from the arena helped the search.

The Litbeit Clinic was tasked with identifying the poison and investigating the method in which it was distributed. Glenn had joined the Kuklo Workshop cyclops at the water treatment center because Sapphee instructed him to.

“If the poison ran throughout the entirety of the canals, it makes sense that it would’ve been added to either the intake gate or treatment center,” Sapphee had said. “At least, if I were the culprit, that’s how I would’ve done it.”

That’s why Glenn and the cyclops were there.

“E-everyone is so mad,” Memé stammered, “including the boss, so I need to concentrate! Trust me!”

“I trust you. I know how hard cyclops work. I would never doubt you.”

“B-but if you keep staring at me, it’ll make me nervous!” Memé looked as if she was about to cry, but she continued to carefully check every inch of the filter. “I-I think the device is…fine. I mean, the cyclops test and examine it regularly.”

“Is that so?” said Glenn. “Well, it doesn’t hurt to investigate.”

“I know that. W-well, the cyclops are working in full force, and we’ll tell you if there’s anything wrong.”

If they could just find a clue, something that led them to the culprit, Skadi, Kunai, and the patrol team would take care of the rest. Glenn hoped that no more monsters would be afflicted by this poison.

“Ah!”

“Memé?”

“Ah, ah, ah, ah!”

Memé’s voice shook. At first, Glenn thought that she was having one of her fits, but the cyclops girl plunged her hand into the filter mechanism with a nimbleness she was normally incapable of. She pulled out something that looked like a purple jewel.

“I-I found it!”

“Memé! That’s poison! Be careful!”

“I-I-I know that! That’s why I have mercury here! Heh.”

Memé put the jewel-like object into a glass bottle she’d prepared and quickly sealed the bottle with a cork. That was still risky, but she wore thick gloves and seemed to be fine. She took off the glove she’d used to touch the poison and put it into another container. She’d probably burn it later.

“What kind of poison is it?!” asked Memé.

Glenn saw that the object held just a bit of purple liquid. It looked like a jewel, but perhaps it was a special container designed to let the poison within gradually seep out.

“Hmm…” The purple stone was diamond-shaped and cut beautifully. “A poisonous metal? No, I don’t think so. Is this venom?”

“D-Doctor, you don’t know?”

“Well, I don’t really have much knowledge of poisons. My guess is that an expert with a lot of experience in their field created this to spread poison throughout the canals.” Whoever made the jewel was no novice.

“When did this… How did… We inspected the treatment center every single day. There’s no way we wouldn’t have noticed.”

“Well, let’s start by showing this to Sapphee. She’s an expert.”

Had the object been at the treatment center the entire time? It seemed as though it was left there, on purpose, to be found by a cyclops. Glenn felt that something sinister was going on behind the scenes, and it made his spine tingle.

“W-well, I’ll keep looking! If there are more of these jewels, then the cyclops’ reputation is on the line! Even the boss and my grandfather will keep going! That’s okay, right?”

“Look at you, Memé, you’ve really grown up!”

The cyclops, including the boss, laughed at Memé’s excitement. Perhaps they saw her as a child, and were pleased with her newfound maturity. Memé didn’t seem bothered, though. She looked around at the other workers with her single, large eye.

“There’s poison in my friend Lulala’s home! Of course I’m angry! I’ll never forgive whoever did this!”

“Ohhh! You’re right! All Lindworm’s residents are our friends. Now, let’s get ’er done. Put your back into it!” The cyclops cheered in response.

This lifted morale immediately. The cyclops were diligent workers, even before factoring in the blow to their pride that came with the poison at the treatment center getting past them. However, despite their collective efforts, they found no additional poison that day. Glenn wasn’t ready to believe that the toxin affecting the entire canal system came from a single object that fit in his hand.

Still, at least they’d been able to find a sample of the poison. Glenn was confident that if anyone could identify the culprit from that, it was Sapphee.

***

“The poison derives from a bioconcentration,” Sapphee said, a report in hand. They stood in her pharmaceutical office. Sapphee normally wore her nurse’s uniform, but because she was handling poison, today she wore a mask and gloves. She removed the mask as she read the report aloud.

A week had passed since they discovered the poison. The increase in patients had suddenly stopped. Drastically fewer aquatic monsters complained of skin and respiratory problems, and significantly fewer terrestrial monsters complained of abdominal pain—which could mean the poison had disappeared from the drinking water as well. In other words, the diamond-shaped container that Memé had found was the source of the poison affecting all the canals.

“Bioconcentration?”

“Yes. For example, one type of venomous frog actually isn’t toxic in and of itself, but since it eats poisonous ants and ticks, venom builds up in its body and becomes deadly.”

“So, um…the poison was extracted from something?”

“That’s right. Some venomous monsters—like the extremely rare man-tiger species—spend years collecting poison they’re resistant to. This creates a concentration of poison in their body that would never occur naturally.”

Glenn remembered the ominous purple poison in the waterways.

“There’s also a venomous subspecies of lamia. One ancestor of the Neikes clan was a legendary assassin who continuously ate poison so that it permeated her entire body. They say she could kill anyone she even breathed on.”

“Wow… It’s hard to believe that someone so dangerous could come into Lindworm.”

“Well, that’s only a legend. They say that her poison glands were so overdeveloped that her entire body looked as if it was covered with tattoos. Characteristics that visible would make for quite an ineffective assassin.”

“Y-yes.”

Lindworm’s border was relatively lax, but although the city allowed merchants and tourists to pass freely, there was still a checkpoint. Whoever brought this poison in must have disguised it cleverly.

“The main thing is that this poison can’t be made using normal methods. It’s extremely potent. Furthermore, the container’s still quite full. I don’t think it was exposed to the water.”

“Huh?” That didn’t make sense. The poison had been discovered in a filter at the water treatment center.

“I think that it was originally somewhere else, and was moved on purpose to a place where it would be discovered easily. If it were in the water treatment equipment the entire time, there would’ve been much more poison in the water—and far more victims.”

“Wait a second… So, that means—”

“The offender is adjusting the amount of poison, making sure that no one dies. They planned for Memé to find it. My guess is that they won’t spread more poison in the water.”

Though Sapphee had chosen to become a pharmacologist, as a descendant of assassins, she was well versed in their methods. She made it sound as if whoever concocted this poison plan was also extremely skilled in the craft.

“I’ll notify Cthulhy of what we’ve found so far,” Sapphee said.

One of the fairies accepted the report that Sapphee held out with her tail. It would deliver the message immediately and directly to the Central Hospital. Fairies were often faster than the mail system.

“Since this poison is a bioconcentration, I think I can figure out what type of monster it came from if I dig a bit deeper,” continued Sapphee.

“Really?”

“Yes. If I spend more time on it, I should be able to figure out whether it was from a toad, man-tiger, one of the lizardfolk, or even a venomous lamia. Hopefully, that will help lead us to the culprit.”

“Thank you. I’m sure it will help the investigation.”

Sapphee’s expression didn’t soften. It must have been a really dangerous poison. It was hard for Glenn to fathom that someone would actually do such a thing. The poison was designed to harm—the polar opposite of his mission as a doctor.

“Anyway, I’ll keep researching.”

“Yes, please.” Glenn nodded. The number of patients had decreased, and his role as a doctor in the canal crisis was winding down, but the work of the Lindworm City Council and patrol team was just beginning. No one would truly be safe until the culprit was caught. “Hey, Sapphee.”

“What is it?”

“Whoever contaminated the canals… They’re experienced, right? They’re keeping a step ahead of us and making sure that there are no fatalities. So…what’s their goal?”

“I don’t know, but poison isn’t something that just anyone can use. One mistake, and the poisoner will die. They’re handling this substance with care. Like me, they must be an expert in the use of poison.”

“So…”

“Yes. I think it could be a professional assassin.”

Glenn finally understood why Sapphee looked so concerned.

“I don’t know why they lowered the amount of poison, but whoever did this could cause a massacre if they wanted to. I included all that in my report.”

“I-I see.”

“The rest is up to the patrol team, Doctor.”

Glenn thought of his sister, who worked on the patrol team. Although he had every confidence in Sioux’s abilities, it was a different story when he thought of her up against a professional assassin. She would have the upper hand when fighting face to face, but if the attack came from behind…

“Also, Doctor, Illy delivered a letter for you.”

“Oh, right. From who?”

“Lady Scythia.”

Glenn took the letter, which bore the Scythia family’s crest.

Sapphee’s eyes narrowed. Glenn quivered.

He knew how jealous Sapphee was. Tisalia, the young lady of the Scythia family, had repeatedly made passionate advances toward him.

Glenn opened the envelope under Sapphee’s heated, jealous stare. “It seems it’s an application for a formal marriage interview.”

“Oh.”

“A marriage interview…at a café?” The request itself wasn’t strange, but the location seemed inappropriate. “What do you think?”

“No idea.” Sapphee’s tone was cold, but her gaze remained fixed on the letter in Glenn’s hand. “Why don’t you meet her? To go to the trouble of writing a letter in this day and age, she must be getting desperate.”

“Desperate…”

Sapphee was acting strangely today.

Her expression was stern, and her words were icy. She seemed…detached. She had to continue testing the deadly poison from her office, and to take care to do it safely. Maybe that was why she was on edge.

“I don’t know what Tisalia is thinking, either,” Sapphee said. “So, why don’t you meet with her and listen to what she has to say? How about it, Doctor?”

Sapphee stroked Glenn’s cheek with the tip of her tail. Glenn couldn’t read her intentions.

“Well, I’ll get back to my investigation,” she added.

With that, Sapphee ended the conversation.

***

“I’m sorry to call you here while you’re so busy,” said Tisalia.

She was waiting at the café in the central courtyard. Instead of sitting on the terrace, she sat in the corner of the café. The letter she’d sent hadn’t included any details besides the date, time, and location—it even said that Tisalia would wait for a number of days if Glenn didn’t show up. He couldn’t very well refuse such a strong invitation.

“Oh, no…” said Glenn. “Well, um…”

“Actually, this isn’t a marriage interview.”

“I…thought so.”

The central courtyard café was definitely too casual for a marriage interview. Clad in her normal body armor, Tisalia was drinking vegetable juice, and wasn’t dressed for a special occasion at all.

“So, what is it, then?”

“It’s about the canals.”

“Oh?!” Glenn’s expression changed.

“I have something urgent and important to tell you. I felt this would be the best way to speak to you. I thought you needed to know.”

“What do you mean?”

“I witnessed a suspicious person in the canals. Oh…we need to be quiet.” Tisalia put her finger to Glenn’s lips before he could reply. “I haven’t verified it yet. It wasn’t actually me who saw them… It was Lorna.” Tisalia had moved her face close to Glenn’s and was now whispering.

“What about the patrol team?”

“I’m going to report it to them now. But I wanted to tell you first, Doctor.”

“Why me?”

“Lorna said she saw a suspicious shadow near the canals. It was a human man, and his clothing was from the east.”

Lindworm was located on the border of the human and monster realms. Eastern culture was a big part of the city, and the Radon Entertainment District was even built in the eastern style. Some monsters, like Memé and Arahnia, often wore eastern clothing. Yet what Tisalia described was still out of the norm.

“What made the man suspicious?”

“She said that he walked without making a sound. Lorna also has that skill, and she has very sharp intuition. A normal tourist wouldn’t walk like that, would they?”

“You’re right.” Glenn was interested in how a centaur could walk without their hooves producing sound, but he pushed his own curiosity aside and concentrated on what Tisalia said.

“Doctor, there’s a rumor that someone powerful in the east gave the order to poison the canals.”

“Y-yes, I’ve heard that rumor as well.”

Lindworm had only just recovered from the Sheep Sleep epidemic. The fact that the disease was caused by the Barometz tree, which was brought to town by an eastern official, was all anyone talked about after the fact. Perhaps this poison was also the work of a human who hated monsters? It wasn’t hard to understand why Lindworm’s residents were suspicious of everything these days.

“I think the rumors say the council of statesmen gave the order. Glenn, isn’t your brother an eastern official?”

“Thank you for your concern, but my brother isn’t involved. He would never do anything to put himself at risk.”

“Oh, I see.”

Glenn finally understood why Tisalia had called him to the café in secret under the guise of a marriage interview. She was worried. If there was even a small chance that Glenn’s brother, Souen, was involved in poisoning the canals, the blame might extend to Glenn as well.

“Also,” Glenn added, “I think the poison might be unrelated to the human realm.”

“Wait… Why?”

“Well, it seems the poison was concentrated in a monster’s body. In other words, there’s a high possibility that whoever used it was a monster.”

“O-oh, is that so? I can’t believe it. I wonder what species. May god punish them.”

“Well, I’m sure Skadi will take care of that.”

Humans of the east wouldn’t know how to use poison derived from monsters. Not only was the human realm extremely discriminatory against monsters, most of its citizens were completely ignorant of them.

“Well, I just wanted to tell you that. I’m very sorry that I called you here under the pretense of a marriage interview. Did Sapphee say anything to you?”

“She just said that I should meet you and talk to you.”

“I see.” Tisalia lowered her eyes and drank her vegetable juice. “That reminds me, Doctor, did you decide on a bride?”

And there it was. The topic couldn’t be avoided.

“No, not yet… I really don’t have any intention of getting married.”

“I’m quite serious.”

Tisalia looked at Glenn sharply with the same expression she used when battling in the arena.

“If it’s what you want, Doctor, you can refrain from taking the name Scythia. I can protect the Scythia name and business. I want you to live as you please.”

“Tisalia?”

“That’s my answer to what Arahnia said.”

Tisalia still seemed hung up on what had happened in the harpy village, when Arahnia accused her of looking for a husband for her family. That was how Arahnia, who hated weapons, chose to do battle instead—with words. Apparently, this was a sensitive point for Tisalia.

“So, please, consider me,” she added.

“Tisalia, how many times do I need to tell you? I’m still training.”

Tisalia’s profession of love was moving. If she was willing to go this far, then Glenn needed to be sincere in his reply. Still, he’d already decided what the answer would be.

“Honestly, I feel as though this is premature,” he continued. “However…”

“However?” Tisalia was dead serious.

“When the time does come, there’s only one woman who I want to be with.” Surely Tisalia knew who he referred to.

She let out the smallest sigh and gulped down the rest of her vegetable juice. “Hmm.”

“I’m sorry. That’s the only answer I can give you.”

“What? I don’t want you to apologize. I actually feel better. That was what I expected the doctor I know, my beloved Glenn, to say.”

Glenn was taken aback. But Tisalia was right. If he were ever to tie the knot, he only had one candidate. His mind was already made up. It had taken Sioux bringing up the subject of marriage, and Tisalia’s profession of love, for him to finally realize it.

There was no question. Glenn had always been in love with one person.

“It’s fine. This is surely the correct outcome for my love. I fought in my own way, and this is the result.”

“Tisalia, I…”

“You don’t need to say it. Any more talk of this would be senseless.”

Glenn couldn’t give Tisalia the answer she wanted. But it was strange; she didn’t seem angry or sad. Was she acting happy because she didn’t want to play the part of the rejected woman? It didn’t seem that way.

Still, Glenn was certain she was putting on some sort of act.

“Then again, if you are feeling guilty…” she continued.

“Huh?”

“Would you go on one date with me?”

***

A date.

When Tisalia made the suggestion, Glenn wasn’t able to agree right away. Lindworm was still in crisis. He didn’t know when the next patient would come in. He couldn’t just leave the clinic unstaffed.

However, he couldn’t shrug off Tisalia’s request for just one date, either. And if Tisalia said this would help her to get over her feelings for Glenn…

He was at a loss. He decided to consult Sapphee.

“Why in the world would you ask me whether you should go on a date with another woman?”

Glenn was used to Sapphee’s anger and frustration, so he knew that all he could do was apologize. The fairies jeered at him, calling him dumb, pathetic, and hopeless, and Glenn had no defense.

“I would have to leave the clinic, so you’d need to be here,” Glenn explained.

“You have no problem leaving the clinic when you make your rounds, but if you want to go out with a woman… Let it be known that Dr. Glenn must bow to me every single time he goes on a date! Well, that’s interesting. Oh, this is fun!” Sapphee’s words dripped with sarcasm. She wasn’t smiling.

Until today, Glenn had thrown all of himself into studying medicine. As a result, he was woefully ignorant of other things. For example, he had no idea what he should do right now.

“Well, it’s fine,” she added.

“Sapphee?”

“Don’t look at me like that, please. I never said you couldn’t. I don’t think Tisalia asked you out to try to beat me at something. Go ahead. I’ll watch the clinic.”

This was strange. Glenn glanced at Sapphee’s tail, but there was no sign of quivering or anything resembling anger.

“Thank you, Sapphee.”

“See you later. Have fun.”

If Glenn were being honest, he would’ve admitted that he’d rather go on a date with Sapphee. He wanted to tell her all about his feelings for her, but he didn’t feel like this was the right time.

So, after his conversation with Sapphee, he met up with Tisalia. He’d replaced his lab coat with a nice jacket. He wondered whether Sapphee would be all right in the clinic. There was still the poisoned-water issue, and the clinic was quite busy. However, Sapphee had told him to leave it to her.

Kay and Lorna had visited the clinic a number of times to choose a day when there were relatively few appointments. Glenn met Tisalia in the central courtyard, and that was that.

This was the only way Glenn could respond to Tisalia’s desires, and he’d resolved to at least have a day of fun with her.

“Doctor!” A voice called across the square. Tisalia, all dressed up, waved her hands. She wasn’t in her normal warrior attire. She was much taller than Glenn, but also looked quite feminine today.

“Your clothes are so pretty, Tisalia.”

“What?! Thank you… You know, I thought that I should get dressed up.”

It seemed as though her attendants had picked out her outfit. They knew her very well. Tisalia’s cheeks flushed; Glenn’s heart ached. He’d decided on his one and only, but that meant he had to refuse this wonderful person, and he was genuinely sad about it.

“Shall we go, then?” asked Tisalia.

“Oh, yes. Sorry, I didn’t think about what we should do.”

“Tee hee! I would never expect that of such a busy doctor.” She pulled Glenn’s arm.

The clop of her hooves was relaxed, and she seemed to adjust her normal gait to match Glenn’s, which was much shorter.

“Thank you so much for accepting my invitation today. I’m so happy, I feel like I could fly.”

“No, er…it’s my pleasure…” Glenn stammered out a reply. He wasn’t quite able to bring himself to say that he was happy to go on a date with her as well. He’d rejected her, after all.

While he pondered how to convey this to Tisalia, she spoke up. “Dr. Glenn.”

She usually called him “Doctor.” This might’ve been the first time she ever called him by name.

“I’ve always loved you, Doctor. Ever since the first time you treated me. It was thanks to you that I reached the second rank as a fighter. I can’t tell you how grateful I am, and I’m even more full of love for you—”

“Tisalia…”

“As you know, I have a lot of responsibilities in my life. I bear my family’s legend, pride, and business, and my parents’ expectations, as well my attendants’ lives and happiness. Then there are my friends, too.” She was probably referring to Sapphee. “But, right now, please let me forget all that and just be Tisalia, out with Dr. Glenn.”

She smiled. When Glenn saw that, he decided that today, he would think of nothing but Tisalia.

It was the only thing he could do for her now.

***

That day, Glenn and Tisalia enjoyed Lindworm.

Tisalia took him to the arena and showed him the spear she normally used. She let him try swinging it in the wide practice area. However, although it was only a practice weapon, it was made for a centaur and extremely heavy. Glenn couldn’t even attempt to swing it.

In the canals, they searched for souvenirs. They saw glass art in one stall, and Glenn had to stop Tisalia from buying out all the stands. He suggested they walk to the graveyard city, but Tisalia shook her head—her eyes brimming—so they didn’t. When she was in the arena, she looked fearless, but she seemed afraid of the undead.

They were about to visit the history museum near the City Council, when…

“Is it raining?”

“It’s just a quick shower.”

They ran to the museum, but by the time they got there, Glenn was soaked to the bone. Tisalia’s expensive-looking outfit was also drenched. She wore a white blouse, so her chest was visible through the sheer fabric. Glenn didn’t know where to look.

“T-Tisalia… Do you have something to wear over your shirt?”

“What? Why?”

Glenn couldn’t bring himself to tell her that her clothing was see-through. Tisalia was known for being careful about her appearance, but it seemed that, for the first time, she hadn’t noticed something about her clothes. She was probably focused on what they should do now that it was raining.

Two centaurs with umbrellas appeared.

“We’re sorry to interrupt.”

“It looks like you’re having a wonderful time.”

“Kay?! Lorna?!” Glenn exclaimed.

“My lady, it’s time to change your clothes.”

“Doctor, won’t you please come this way?”

Tisalia’s attendants must have been following them. A driver stood in the rain beside a nearby centaur carriage, waiting for Tisalia. She would probably change in there.

For some reason, Lorna also had a jacket for Glenn to change into. This went above and beyond the call of duty, but Glenn accepted the coat with gratitude.

“Th-thank you.”

“Not at all.” Lorna laughed gracefully.

Tisalia’s attendants always worried about their mistress’s affairs, and were never far from her side, in one way or another.

“Were you following us the entire—”

“Don’t be silly. We would never get in your way. It’s just that, for some reason, many Scythia employees have the day off. They seem to be out enjoying the town.”

In other words, the employees were watching them everywhere. That was how much respect the beloved Tisalia had. It was her personality, not her family or position in society, that made her so adored.

“Doctor.” It was Lorna again. She whispered in a voice that only Glenn could hear. “The lady was at a complete loss about what to do until today. I won’t say much, but she made a difficult decision before joining you for this date.”

“A complete loss? Why?”

“That’s a secret. But, please, do what you can to cater to the lady’s feelings.”

At first, Glenn thought Lorna meant that she wanted him to make Tisalia feel better after rejecting her. However, he got the feeling she meant something else—something you wouldn’t normally ask the rejecter to do. Her words were vague, lacking any useful details. Considering Lorna’s position, she had every right to blame Glenn for Tisalia’s feelings, but she didn’t.

“Oh, it looks like the rain has stopped,” noted Lorna.

It had been a short shower. Soft sunlight fell on the road, which was still wet from the rain. A small rainbow appeared off in the direction of the Vivre Mountains. Glenn noticed a harpy’s silhouette fly in front of the rainbow. He couldn’t be sure, but it might have been Illy.

“D-Dr. Glenn… I apologize for making you wait.” Tisalia came back in fresh clothes. Her face blushed. “I’m so sorry. I told my attendants that I wouldn’t be needing them today, but…I never imagined they would show up here.”

“It was just a coincidence, my lady.”

“Yes. Don’t think that we were watching you.”

“Then why did you have everything on hand?!” asked Tisalia. “Unbelievable!”

It must be embarrassing to be seen by your family on a date, Glenn decided. Tisalia’s attendants and the Scythia Transportation employees were like family to her. In contrast to Tisalia, who was red with shame, Kay and Lorna’s faces were satisfied. Glenn even thought they might be smiling slightly.

“Shall we change our plans?” asked Tisalia.

“Huh?”

“There’s a rainbow. We could go someplace where it’s easier to see. Maybe the tower by the City Council? Let’s go before it disappears.”

“Oh, yes.”

Even if he couldn’t return her feelings, Glenn thought, he should feel honored that a woman like Tisalia would be interested in him. Instead of worrying all the time, he should be positive, like Tisalia.

“Tee hee!” she laughed happily.

At that moment, Glenn had no idea what hid behind her smile.

***

The date was nearly over. To end the night, they had dinner at the Giant Squid’s Inn. The meal mostly consisted of vegetables, but Glenn enjoyed healthy food too, so he ordered according to Tisalia’s customs.

By the time they left the inn, it was already late.

“I’ll take you to the clinic,” said Tisalia.

“N-no, I can’t ask you to do that.”

“Please, let me. There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

For some reason, Tisalia’s expression was serious. She looked as if she were facing an opponent in the arena.

In the end, Glenn returned to the clinic with Tisalia. The lights were still on. The “closed” sign was up, so Sapphee should’ve been done with her work, but perhaps she was in her office analyzing the poison.

Tisalia barged into the clinic before Glenn could stop her, throwing open the front door as if it were her own home. She seemed nervous. Glenn had never seen her like this before.

“We’re back, Arahnia,” she said.

“Huh?”

At Tisalia’s announcement, there came a rustling sound, and Arahnia appeared.

“Yes, yes. Welcome back. You’re right on time, aren’t you? It looks like it went well,” said Arahnia.

“I won’t say it went well, exactly…but it definitely went according to plan.”

“Welcome home, Doctor. I made dinner for you.”

“W-wait a second. Why is Arahnia here?”

Arahnia wore a nurse’s uniform. There was a fairy on her head and another on her shoulder. Glenn couldn’t read the fairies’ expressions, but for some reason, he got the feeling that they were very serious as well.

But why? What had led to this tense atmosphere?

“What’s happened? Sapphee? I’m home!” Glenn called toward the back of the clinic, but his lamia assistant wasn’t there. Had she gone out and asked Arahnia to watch the clinic for her?

It didn’t make sense.

He felt sick, as if his insides were twisted into knots.

“Ummm…what’s going on?”

Arahnia and Tisalia looked at each other, but it was Arahnia who spoke first.

“She left this for you.”

“A-a letter?”

“If you read this, I think you’ll understand what happened. I need to tell you, Doc, it might seem weird coming from me, but I don’t think it’s anyone’s fault. I don’t want you to blame anybody. You gotta promise me before you read the letter. Can you do that?”

That’s when Glenn noticed the silk wrapped around his pinky. Arahnia was forcing him to promise. If he didn’t, she wouldn’t let him read it.

“O-okay, I understand.” Glenn nodded, preparing himself.

“That’s a good boy. Here you go.”

The letter she handed him was thick. As soon as he saw it, he recognized Sapphee’s neat handwriting.

He wondered when she found time to write it.

Dear Dr. Glenn,

If you’re reading this letter, it means I’m no longer at the clinic. Please forgive me for disappearing in a manner that must seem sudden to you. Also, please forgive me for lying.

Where do I begin? I’m not sure how to write this. Well, it all started with the poison that was released into the canals.

It’s traditionally used by the Neikes family.

I knew it the moment I saw it. Actually, I’m sure that the poison was prepared in such a way that only I would know exactly who spread it. There’s no mistaking that a member of the Neikes clan created it. The poison is unique to lamia, and it’s removed after being concentrated in the body of an assassin resistant to its effects. Assassins have engaged in diabolical experiments for hundreds of years to perfect this method.

You asked me to find out which species made this poison, but I knew from the beginning. I never needed to research it. It was commonly used by my family.

It’s only a matter of time before Cthulhy comes to the same conclusion.

Of course, I haven’t assassinated anyone. I have no reason to spread poison through the canals, and as a pharmacologist, I don’t intend on harming man or monster.

However, once everyone finds out that it’s a Neikes poison, the situation will become dangerous for both me and you, Dr. Glenn.

Lindworm’s citizens won’t believe that I had nothing to do with the poison. The victims will be upset, and Skadi and Cthulhy will suspect a connection with my parents. Even if they don’t, they’ll try to find a way to use me to get to the perpetrator.

I don’t want to make trouble for you. I’m sorry.

I must go to the Neikes village. I don’t plan on ever coming back to the clinic or Lindworm.

“What the hell?”

Glenn’s hand shook as he gripped the letter. His eyes ran over the writing, rushing to the end.

I’ve also hurt Tisalia. I asked for her help the day you brought the poison to me. I can’t stay in the clinic any longer, but I thought it would be impossible to sneak out if you were home. So, I asked Tisalia to get you out of the clinic for an entire day. I thought it would be hard for you to refuse her broken heart.

I’m sorry that I’ve become such a wretched woman. I feel like I’m just apologizing, and this letter is going nowhere. What I mean to say is that I’m not coming back. I intend to get to the bottom of what’s going on with the poison in the canals.

I’ve left everything else up to Tisalia and Arahnia. I hope you’ll cooperate with them.

Glenn looked up at Tisalia. “You lied? You lied to get me out of the clinic?”

“No, I didn’t.” Tisalia wore a stern expression. “It’s true, I tricked you. But asking you to go on a date, just for today, was genuinely what I wanted.”

“Just a second. You professed your love to me, knowing that I would reject you, so you could get me out of the house? To create an excuse?”

This was unbelievable. How much would you have to prepare yourself to profess your love to someone, Glenn wondered, knowing that it could never be?

“Well… I guess that’s true. It’s a lie, but it’s also true. Sapphee is just as important to me as you are, Doctor. She’s my friend, and she may be my rival in love, but I wanted to protect her in any way I could. That’s why I helped.”

“I know that…” said Glenn. “I know that, but still—”

“I wanted to help her do what she had to do.”

Was this what Lorna was talking about when she’d said she hoped Glenn would cater to Tisalia’s feelings? Was it what Arahnia meant when she said not to blame anyone?

He didn’t intend to blame anyone. Tisalia just did what Sapphee had asked, and Sapphee had had no choice.

But…but…

Glenn’s mind spun with a million questions.

He continued reading the letter, hoping they would be answered.

I’m also sorry that I caused you trouble with the marriage discussions. I loved you as a doctor, and as you, Glenn. I truly loved you. But that’s all the more reason why I can’t stay in the clinic.

I really dreamed of marrying you, but I don’t see how that’s possible now. I was sure that you felt the same way about me, but now I have no way to confirm that.

I’ve included some marriage documents. Please choose a bride who will do right by you. I’d be fine with you marrying Tisalia or Arahnia. They’re both dear friends to me, and I think they’re good monsters for you to wed.

I’m sorry for being so selfish.

Glenn looked closer. There were marriage documents with the letter—multiple copies of the same document, one with Arahnia and another with Tisalia written in as the bride.

“Why…” Glenn began aloud.

But he knew why. All the reasons were right there in the letter.

The very first time I met you at your family’s home, when I met you again at the Academy, and when you decided to open a clinic in Lindworm—all these are memories I treasure. I support your dreams. I always thought I’d be there by your side. But, before I knew it, you’d already surpassed me. The harpy village, Skadi’s surgery, and the Barometz crisis are all examples of you coming into your role as an amazing doctor.

That’s why I know you’ll be just fine without me.

“I’m not fine!” Glenn cried as his hand, holding the letter, formed a fist.

You’re someone who follows his dreams and tackles any problem head-on, on your own.

“That’s not true… It’s not true at all, Sapphee.”

The writing ran as Glenn’s tears spilled onto the paper. He wondered whether Sapphee had cried as she wrote the letter. She didn’t have tear ducts, but she might have been crying in her heart.

Yet her writing never wavered.

Goodbye, Doctor. Please take care of yourself. Don’t cry for me.

It would have been impossible for Glenn not to cry. He clutched the letter in his fist and sobbed.

At some point, he found himself on his knees. He didn’t know what to do. No one was at fault. Sapphee was concerned for Glenn, so she left the clinic. She’d conspired with Tisalia and Arahnia, who were concerned about their best friend, and they’d put on an act so that Sapphee could run away without Glenn finding out.

That was all. But that wasn’t all. The one monster who Glenn loved with all his heart was no longer by his side.

“Doctor?” Tisalia hugged Glenn. “It’s okay to cry. Go ahead. You should let it all out. You can think about what to do next later.”

Glenn couldn’t do anything but bawl like a child. Arahnia embraced him from behind with her four arms, as if hiding him from other people’s sight while he sobbed.

It would’ve been impossible not to cry.

Still, Glenn didn’t want to be seen crying, so he hid the tears streaming down his face in Tisalia’s bosom.