It's Azul ...... of the Augusto troupe, Azul here ......!
What?

　Garnett also leans forward to check the restored face and agrees, dripping with cold sweat.

'Oh come on, really? It's not true. ...... What the f*ck is going on?
...... Do you guys know about Azure of the August troupe?
Yes, ...... and I wouldn't even call it an acquaintance.

　I'll give you a brief description of our relationship with Azure.

　However, I only watched their entertainment once and showed them the way on the way to this Ten Thousand Temples.

''Also, those two seemed to be in the vicinity of the scene when Bruno caused the incident. I saw them with the kid who ran into the knight's choke point.
You're Craig's son, the mithril processor. You said you were separated from your stepson in the confusion of witnessing the scene of the crime: ...... So that's what happened.

　Carmine threw the cleanup of the restoration work to the Chief Priestess and left the crypt with us in tow.

'The August troupe has been a suspect for some time now,' he said. The past history of the members of the troupe is unclear, and yet the first incident happened soon after they arrived in King's Landing.

　As we rushed down the uninhabited corridor, Carmine gave us a general explanation.

''I couldn't determine it because I didn't have any strong clues, but here it is. The true identity of the Night Ripper (Night Ripper) is Azure of the August troupe!　Or the multiple perpetrators with their partner Pinky!　...... or something else that has replaced the real girls to be exact!

　I also show my silent agreement with Carmine's reasoning.

　If you combine the circumstances of the incident that Bruno caused and the [Restoration] results I just saw, I can't think of anything else.

''The real Azure and Pinky were murdered shortly after coming to King's Landing, and their bodies were chopped up and turned into unidentified corpses, and then replaced by the criminals, I suppose.
The dismemberment murders had a rational meaning: "The dismemberment murders had a rational meaning: ...... to misrepresent the facts of the substitution.
I can imagine why they took apart the third and later victims. That would lead us to believe that the dismantling of the bodies was done by eye, not by hand.

　The original reason for mutilating the bodies was 'to cover up the fact that they were pretending to be someone else.

　If there had been only one murder, the cover-up might have been broken if the intention to dismantle the body was pursued.

　But what if there had been a series of murders?

　Most people would assume that it was a 'bizarre murderer with an eye for dismemberment', and would not be able to see any rational reason for the first one.

It's a really elaborate killer. The first case was a smokescreen to blur the similarities between the second and subsequent cases, and the second and subsequent cases were a cover to disguise the purpose of the first case.

　Garnett poses a succinct question to Carmine, who lifts the edge of his mouth in an abhorrent manner.

'But hey, didn't the guys in the troupe notice the changeover?　Or the entire troupe: ......
The possibility of complicity is undeniable, but the troupe is a tight-knit group of traveling entertainers who formed to get approval for their activities. The connections between the members are tenuous, so I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't notice it.
Oh, crap ...... and if you joined after you were replaced in the first place, there's no way you're going to find out.

　Garnett clicked his tongue and raised his eyebrows.
　Now it's my turn to ask a question.

'If you went to the trouble of pretending to be someone else, does that mean that the person who would have otherwise been unable to move is the real culprit?
'I suppose. I don't know what position you were in exactly, but if they catch you faking it, that's all that matters.
...... Then it's a race against time from here.
If you miss it, you can still make a move. It's better to get it over with tonight, though!

　After galloping through the Ten Thousand Temples and returning to the main gate, the silver-winged knight who wasn't there when I came rushed over with papers in hand.

　If you look closely, you'll see one more carriage in front of the gate.
　They must have come after we entered the temple.

''Lord Commander, I have a report to make.
'Read it out loud. Luke, you've accepted to cooperate, so you don't need to worry about that.
'Ha. A search of Bill's workshop uncovered what appeared to be the specifications for the blade that had been planted in the murder weapon's dummy. It seems that Bill was the one who supplied the murderer with the Mithril weapon.

　Next to me, Garnett twitches and reacts.

　Carmine's face contorts that he's noticed it too, but the knight in charge of the message continues his report without noticing it at all.

'Perhaps the culprit has been supplying Mithril to Bill via a back channel for some time now, and he used his influence to plant a blade that he had made into a puppet and used it as a weapon.
Well, I'll tell you what. I'll tell you the rest of the story elsewhere.
"After all, this case is also suspected to be closely linked to a mithril trafficking ring. ...... How can you help?

　Garnett's hand grasps the impatient Carmine's two arms, gripping them with an incredible amount of strength given their small size.

　The Mithril Trafficking Organization - there's no way Garnett can keep quiet when he hears that name.

'...... here's another report. The bodies in the first case have been identified as Azure and Pinky from the August troupe. The people currently active are most likely to have been impersonated by the criminals. Get the troops to the troupe's lodgings right away. I'll join you later.
Yes!

　Carmine sent the knight of the messenger out in one breath with a flurry of instructions and quickly turned to Garnett.

'Listen to me, Garnett. Listen to me calmly. Your part in this is what you're supposed to do: ......'
You're my brother. Take me with you.
...... Your role is to guard Mr. Luke. Don't get your priorities wrong.
'But yo ...... maybe ......'

　Maybe Agart Ram, the trafficker who killed his mother, is involved.
　I guess he can't stay and stand just thinking that.

　I know that Garnett hates the Mithril trafficking organization with all his heart, and that's exactly what I've known since the first day I met her.

　I've decided to take this girl, including my hatred, into account.
　Then I have only one word to say.

'I don't mind. Let me help you too. As an adventurer and a processor, I'm not a stranger to you.
"I'm sorry, ......, I just warned you not to bother me.
He also said he wouldn't mind if I spoiled him and annoyed him.
...... Okay, I get it. I lose.

　Carmine raised his hands lightly with a sigh, indicating his willingness to surrender.

'But not in that outfit. You must change your clothes once before you come. All right?