[Departement de police du Donjon de Monoceros: 6:30 PM, 27th of Umbral-Tide/Darktide, Year 426]

The police officers busied themselves going around the police station. Some had taken care of them pending and on-going Umbral Cult cases. Some handled from the missing people. The rest were other crimes around the city.

Shemlock Homes and Neil Ingrid Carter were collaborating some cases along with the phooka police Inspector Tier Sauveterre who remained very stern and sleepless. The most recent case they were working was the Kastronov Circus Riot Incident from two days ago.

" Well, Mr. Carter and I had reports of the man named Sèvère Porcher, Inspector, " Shemlock spoke." Boris Kastronov is our asset and still recovering at the hospital along with the others. His father Hilden is bedridden. Porcher is no where to be found. "

" Yes, sir, " Neil added." If we can go around Bonaparte Park and investigate further along with the Foranean police. Perhaps, we can find more evidences aside from the testimony. "

" Leave those reports on my desk, " Inspector Sauveterre said to Shemlock. Afterward, he turned his attention to Neil. " Now, hold up there. You're a journalist not a police officer neither a detective. Let me and Shemlock handle this, you have your story. "

" But inspector..." Neil paused.

" Neil, you may step outside. Just wait for me, " the Aldernian detective replied.

" Yes, sir..."

The elven newspaper reporter heavily sighed and left the room. The detective and the phooka police inspector continued their discussion.

" Tier, everything is related to the Umbral Cultists. You might consider finding their true motives. Doctor Montmartre warned you about them during your interrogation with him, " Shemlock explained.

" I'm aware, Shemlock. But you don't understand the reality of this. We're understaffed and lost our best detectives to these damn Umbral cultists. To make it worse, we can't keep up with these new reports. Not to mention, these stockpile of evidences that we have to go through as well. It would be good if we had a expert in umbra magic, " Tier sighed in discouragement. " We're running out of resources and fast. "

" The Dark Elves..." the Aldernian detective snapped his fingers. " Have you heard of them? "

" What about them? " Tier curiously asked.

He deduced and seriously looked at the phooka police inspector, " If you can remember meeting a couple a few nights ago, you have seen a group of elven people terrorising and making their victims disappear using void magic in making portals. I presume you missed arresting one of the leaders of the Dark Elves, an elven witch. She had vanished infront of you. " Thinking the Dark Elves may have a connection to Porcher from the circus or any of those Umbrals. Two nights ago, Porcher has a pet talking head coming from a deceased person, controlling everyone and causing a tremendous riot. To conclude my statement, what do they have in common? It's Dark Magic, of course. "

" D'accord. I remember, that elven journalist mentioned Bonaparte Park, right? " Tier responded and crossed his arms." Perhaps, we can look there for any suspicious activities. I can't spare anymore detectives to investigate this. Until then, this will be our case. "

" Well, as much as we can. We have to deal with them by ourselves since the Dark Elves and Porcher may have a close connection. "

Suddenly, they heard a loud knock when the conversatiom from two men got interrupted.

" Who's there? " Shemlock asked.

" Messieurs, this is Lieutenant Costa, " a male voice answered. " We have someone who needs to see you. "

Inspector Sauveterre opened the door for the lieutenant and replied, " It's better be great news, Costa. We can't afford to take anymore hits to this department."

The brunette lieutenant nodded and smiled as he brought a dark-haired young woman along with her. She was wearing a berét hat and long sleeved dark dress. She greeted them with a friendly smile.

" Messieurs, this is mademoiselle Leafa Ivy, " Liere introduced her to the gentlemen." Leafa, this is my boss Inspector Tier Sauveterre and his colleague from Alderny, Shemlock Homes. He's a detective. "

" It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Ivy, " Shemlock politely greeted her and shook his hands.

" Good evening, gentlemen. I'm here with Lt. Costa," Leafa answered. " Perhaps, I can help you guys. And I will also be needing your help. "

" From your disposition, you have a lot of things to discuss. Is it about the circus riot and your father? " the Aldernian detective remarked. " You cannot miss any detail of those images from people who you have talked to. "

" How did you know that, Mr. Homes? " Leafa asked and cocked her eyebrows to her astonishment.

" Your sketches can tell. "

" Oh, right, " she nodded and turned to her sketchbook.

" In what way? What's your expertise, mademoiselle? " Inspector Sauveterre asked her curiously.

" As your colleague has deduced me, I am one of the witnesses of the Kastronov Circus Incident as well as I am searching for my father named Lasher who have been missing for a decade. I can provide sketches and written reports of what I have seen and who I have been talking to, " she replied and brought her sketchbook, showing the pencil sketches.

Inspector Sauveterre motioned Shemlock to receive the sketches. " We'll examine these sketches thoroughly. Anything else you can tell us? "

Shemlock brought the sketches and examined along with Tier and Liere. They saw an image of an old man with the head talking to the two grey skinned women in dark clothes.

" That one was from three days ago when I came to the circus. Boris told me something's fishy going on with Porcher, " the dark-haired woman explained.

" Why didn't you went to the police sooner with this suspicious activity? " Inspector Sauveterre asked.

" I was talking to Boris and asking him if he knows about my father and his whereabouts in his room. Unfortunately, he didn't know anything about it, " Leafa recalled. " Suddenly, we overheard of the conversation from the outside and peeked. Porcher was talking to the two strange elven women. We saw they had empowered his 'talking head'. They summoned a spell to cause hypnosis. Boris and I got afraid when he released the seagull's feather in protecting us. Suddenly, Porcher and the elven women found and summoned a spell of freezing. They threatened us not to tell of what we had witnessed or else they would come after me and him. "

" Sacré Bleu..." Liere remarked in shock. " This is a forbidden magic. "

" Indeed, " Shemlock replied.

" Then, the two strange elven women would be helping Porcher to steal the Kastronov circus from Boris and his father. Make them his own along with the troupe of the Ravenclaws. He was using the head to cause chaos and make anyone suffer so he can take over it. "

" Do you have a description of these two elven women? " Inspector Sauveterre asked and took another look at the sketches.

Leafa turned the page of the two elven women who happened to be in dark clothes and grey pale skin. She took a deep breath and recalled that day when she was being threatened.

" T-They are g-going to kill me along with the Ravenclaw if I r-report this to you, " she stuttered in fear. " T-they have told me I will never see my father again! In order to spare myself, I was forced to watch the circus and the chaos while Boris was talking to a detective and journalist. "

" But we can't see you, Miss Ivy, " Shemlock replied. " Unless, you were being watched by them and let you free at that time. "

" Yes, I was heavily guarded by some Dark Elves before the Porcher made his performance. Boris was forced to continue the show and pretend like everything's okay with him and the troupe. "

" You're free to stay here in the department until we apprehend the suspects. We won't anything happen to you." Inspector said to Leafa, reassuring that she'll be safe.

" But I needed to find my father, that's why I came there. I can't do anything if I stay here. I'm afraid the Umbrals might be after him. "

" Jè suis desole, mademoiselle..." Liere remarked and heavily sighed.

" We'll find your father as well, me and my colleague are the best we got now in this department, " Inspector Sauveterre sighed afterwards remembering all of his detectives he lost.

Then, another knock was heard. Shemlock and the others turned to their attention to it. Liere opened the door and saw a female blonde dwarven officer. She just came from the incident and heavily panted which she immediately had returned to her safety.

" Messieurs, the Dark Elves had come to strike another establishment near Rue de Louis, " she reported. " You need to come here very quickly! "

" Porcher, is he there? " Shemlock asked.

" I don't know, monsieur Homes. "

" Great, just great! We're understaffed, hardly no officers, and now we have another situation, " Inspector Sauveterre exasperatedly spoke in disappointment.

" I believe our officers tried to escalated the incident, but they failed, " she sighed.

" Shall I come with you all? " Leafa asked with concern.

" Leafa, I believe you should..." Shemlock paused.

" Please, I need you guys to come along with me in finding my father. "

Supposed to say 'no' to the lady artist, the Aldernian detective heavily sighed and replied, " Fine, you will still be under our custody. "

" Shemlock, should I go? " Neil asked and awaited for a new story to publish in the newspaper broadsheet.

" You're coming for the next story, Mr. Carter, " Shemlock said.

" Yes!! " the elven journalist happily exclaimed and grinned.

" Tenir bon! I didn't authorize a journalist to assist in this case! " Inspector Sauveterre halted, saw the elven journalist coming, and heavily sighed. " Bref, oublie ça..."

[Rue de Louis, Monoceros Keep: 7:50 PM]

The remaining police men kept firing at the Ravenclaw, but they were not affected from the shots. The civilians were running away from the chaotic scene. One of the Ravenclaw elf summoned a spell of void energy which it was pulling the people away, including the police. They were being pulled and sucked into the black hole in space which they would never get escaped from it. The echoes of fear and distress were heard all over the place.

" Everyone, this is an interesting...story..." Neil paused in fear and stopped writing on his notebook.

" Not just interesting, my friend! " Leafa exclaimed.

" Oh, bloody hell...."

The Ravenclaw turned their attention at the group and angrily hissed like venomous snakes. Some muttered in gibberish. The others loudly laughed like wild hyenas, anticipating for their prey. The phooka police inspector indignantly glared at them and looked at his companions and his remaining fellow policemen.

" Tier, I believe they are spotting us..." Shemlock said and deduced the attackers. " They are very eager to suck us into our oblivion."

The dark elves taunted and dared the group to come over. One of them gestured to come over and evilly grinned.

" Inspecteur, should we attack? " Liere asked Tier.

" Don't attack, we should see what they want. If they try anything apprehend them, " Inspector Sauveterre said.

" Right, " Liere nodded.

Shemlock casted a spell to mimick the language of the Dark Elves. He started conversing and kept asking them some questions. The other Ravenclaw laughed and taunted at him in reply. One of them retorted him in gibberish. The Aldernian detective looked infuriated and continued to interrogate further and gain more information. He was still asking some relevant questions and convincing them to return to their previous lives. Still,the other dark elves kept laughing at him and made him look stupid.

" Oh for Heavens's sakes! Really?! " he heavily sighed and furiously remarked.

" You ask so many questions and try to convince to go back to where we are! " the dark elf loudly laughed and mocked at him. " You can't! "

" Blimey...." the elven journalist facepalmed and muttered. " This is not gonna work..."

" I don't like this one bit, detained them for suspicion. I'm not loosing anyone else, " Inspector Sauveterre ordered his officers and colleagues.

" Wait, I will give it a try, " Leafa said with determination, trying to confront the evil fae folk.

She took a deep breath and approached one of them. Liere and Neil hindered to get through. Leafa frowned and slightly stepped back as she couldn't continue confronting the attackers.

" Mademoiselle! No! " the brunette man warned. " Do you think you can do this on your own? "

" Look, I need to try, perhaps, they knew where my father is, " she spat.

" Miss Ivy, we're not letting you through! " Neil warned.

" Just let me try! "

" Mademoiselle Ivy, don't be so stubborn! We can't trust these dark elves! " Inspector Sauveterre warned.

" I am sorry I have to do this..."

" Oh, a very feisty human female! " the other dark elf noticed her coming and laughed. " Are you looking for your father?! "

Leafa widened her eyes in shock and ignored her companions. She came forward to them and waited for answers of her father's whereabouts which she has been longing and looking for.

" Come closer, " he commanded and grinned at her. " That's it! Good girl! "

She walked closer and asked," Where's my father, Lasher? "

" Oh, you must be daughter of that traitor. "

" I don't understand. What do you mean? "

" He was used to be part of the Umbral Cult, but he betrayed us. Unfortunately, that traitor is dead! Sheeva killed and dumped him elsewhere! I'm sorry to say this, young lady! " he replied and maniacally laughed at her.

" W-What?! " Leafa gasped in shock and wept. " I don't believe you! "

" No, Mademoiselle Ivy. Don't listen to them! They're attempting to influence you! " Inspector Sauveterre shouted.

" He joined with us for sometime, little girl. Agatha and Salem found out that your father was disobeying Sheeva's wishes! He really hated working with us..." the Ravenclaw explained." Lasher was a delinquent man! All he wanted was power to surpass and subdue anyone from the Ravenclaw and the Cult!"

" No! That's not true! " Leafa bitterly wept and yelled. "No, you got it all wrong! My father is..."

" You will be joining along with him! " the dark elf laughed and summoned a spell to freeze Leafa as she couldn't move.

" Shemlock, restrained them! Now! " Inspector Sauveterre ordered.

" Everyone, help! " she cried.

" Sacrè Bleu! " Liere yelled in fear.

" Bon sang! Engagez-les! (Damnit! Engage them!) " the phooka police officer shouted.

" No time to waste, " Shemlock muttered sternly and summoned a spell to cast an army of stray cats.

The alley cats and domesticated ones immediately converged and arrived on the streets when they angrily hissed and jumped over the Dark Elves. The Umbral ones casted a spell and made a void portal to suck the feline army into their demise. The other cats tried to scratch the one of the Ravenclaws, but they were being thrown away into the portal.

" Oh, come on! " the Aldernian detective yelled furiously.

Liere summoned a spell of a flashing camera light to blind the Dark elf by snapping his fingers. They casted a shield to avoid the brightness of the light and bounced back at the lieutenant. The dark elves continued laughing at him.

Inspector Sauveterre shapeshifted into a wolf, charging forward and proceeding to bit one of the dark elves' legs. He was successful in making it bleed. The dark elf hissed at the phooka police inspector and tried to get rid of him. He instantly waved his legs and sent the shapeshifter flying and landing him into the tree log. Just then, his fellow Dark Elf grabbed a dagger and stabbed him into his abdomen. The wolf Inspector Sauveterre yelped in pain as he stabbed in the abdomen by the Dark Elf.

" Oh, bloody hell! " Neil furiously spat and brought a pistol, targeting the dark elf. The elven journalist released the bullets from the weapon, but his opponents quickly dodged. They loudly laughed at him.

" Oh, really! " he angrily remarked.

The remaining policemen kept firing them with bullets, however their guns instantly got levitated and pulled away into the portal. They were all trembled to see their acts and thinking of running away. Still frozen, Leafa noticed the four men were having difficulties in fighting their opponents. Suddenly, a dark elf summoned a spell to make them disappear along the others.

" Say your prayers, mon amies! " he remarked.

" Help! Somebody! HELP! " she yelled loudly.

Suddenly, a volatile bluish-white lightning struck the dark elf and made him zapped out into 20 kilowatts. From above, Shemlock noticed a mysterious armored man coming from the rooftops. He instantly jumped down into the ground. The man was cladded in metallic blue armor with a golden yellow star on his breast place. He was wearing a bright crimson cape and a royal blue loincloth. The armored man glared at the dark elves and saw Tier wounded.

" Who on Iliad?! " Neil muttered in shock in seeing the armoured man.

" It's him! " the dark elf angrily spat.

" So, you have come to this city to make your terror! " the mysterious man replied sternly replied.

" We have been waiting for you, Blue Knight! "

" You don't have to tell me twice, Ravenclaw. I don't need to do this, but you have harmed everyone. "

" What makes you say that? "

" A good doctor has asked me not to harm you. He wants you all to get restored..."

" Restored?! You all shall just fail! " the dark elf taunted. " We'll just bring you to your demise along with the others! "

" Well, that leads me no choice..." the Blue Knight sternly spoke and casted his spell of Bio-Shock to stun the dark elf leader of the group. The other dark elves were terrified in seeing their group leader to get zapped. The armored man left him unconscious for 12 volts of bioelectricity, but he was still alive. Then, he walked over to them. They were afraid to confront him. He dared, " Now, who's next?! "

" No, no, no, we surrender! Just take us! " One of the elves cried and became terrified.

" I will just zap you into sleep. Worry not, my friends. This is just a low voltage. It won't hurt you..."

The Blue Knight snapped his fingers for Bio-Shock in 12 volts and stunned them to their unconsciousness. Tier and the others watched the mysterious armored man's actions. Shemlock cocked his eyebrows and crossed his arms which he found the armoured man very suspicious and thought of deceiphering him behind the helmet.

" Everything's under control," he seriously spoke and walked over to them.

" Monsieur, I believe we have a casualty, " Liere pointed at Tier.

Inspector Sauveterre reverted back to his human form and clenches his abdomen to prevent himself from bleeding.

" I'm fine, barely, " he replied and moaned in pain.

" Doctor Montmartre could have been here..." the mysterious armored man spoke. " I'll manage to get this done. "

He instantly whistled as the white horse appeared from the streets. The armored man approached it and took out first aid kit. He knelt down, cleansed, and treated the wound from Tier.

" Have it checked when you see him. "

" Who are you? " Inspector Sauveterre asked.

" Just a friend..." he spoke and finished bandaged the wounds.

Shemlock instantly carried the woman. Leafa sighed in relief and found herself moving.

" I'm okay. Now, thank you. " she said.

" It's all right, Mr. Homes. The doctor has found her father and asked me to bring her to him, " the Blue Knight said.

" Of course, " he nodded and sternly looked at the armoured man. " But I still need to discover who you are, your bioelectricity spells and some first aid reminded me of my best friend back in Odyssea Academy. Now, who are you really?! "

" It's not even important to question my identity, Mr. Homes. Just continue your work as a meddling sleuth. I don't need to answer or disclose it. "

" Fine, I will let you be. I still need to find out who you really are. "

The Aldernian detective's heated suspicion had ended when Leafa turned the Blue Knight. She was thinking of the question to raise, and yet feeling uneasy of what the Ravenclaws had mentioned to her. The Elandric artist had still hopes for seeing her father alive and reuniting with him.

" Excuse me, sir, " she broke her silence and asked. " Do you know where he is? "

" Do you mean your father? "

" Yes, sir. You just said a doctor just found him, right? "

" Yes, he's at the hospital and waiting for you. "

Leafa wept for joy and smiled which she instantly hugged the armoured man. From the outside, the Blue Knight remained emotionless. But the man behind the helmet, he silently sighed in relief and sincerely smiled which he found the ICU patient's daughter. She became embarrassed and parted her arms away from the Blue Knight.

" Oh, I'm s-so sorry..." she wiped her eyes with her handkerchief. " I just carried away. I d-didn't mean to..."

" It's alright, miss. My master asked me to find the patient's daughter. I assume you must be her. "

" Yes, my name's Leafa Ivy. I'm a sketch artist. You must be? "

" I'm just a friend and Doctor Montmartre's servant. "

" How shall I find you again, sir? "

" I'm just around, Miss Ivy. "

" Inspecteur, do you think you gonna be okay with this? " Liere asked Tier and aided him to stand up.

" I'm not, mademoiselle Ivy and her father should be in our safety, " Inspector Sauveterre replied in concern.

" He's at the hospital as my master has told me, " the Blue Knight replied. Then, he turned to the remaining police officers. " You may apprehend the Ravenclaws and take him to the temporary prison cell. "

" Oui, monsieur, " Liere nodded.

" We'll accompany you to the hospital, " Inspector Sauveterre added.

" You can see your people are arresting the Ravenclaws. If you meet my master, Doctor Amnon Montmartre, tell him to come and check them. He needs to give them the cure. "

The Blue Knight pointed at the remaining police officers who arrested the barely conscious dark elves.

" What cure? They don't look sick to me. Well, maybe in the head, but not physically sick, " Inspector Sauveterre said in confusion and scratched his head.

" He will explain that to you, " he replied and brought Leafa to the phooka police inspector and his companions.

" Inspector, I think I should come with you, " Leafa said. " I know where the hospital is. "

" Until then, Inspector Sauveterre..." the mysterious armored man said and rode his white horse. He instantly rushed like the wind, going away onto the streets.

" Sounds mysterious, " Shemlock remarked and frowned, crossing his arms. " But still, I need to find out who's the man behind the Knight's helmet. "

" Well, I know to write my next newspaper story, " Neil smiled and started to write on his notebook.

" Do you ever ask or try to reveal that armoured man's true identity? "

" Well, this can be a great sensation of the century, mate! Let's see his next exploits! "

[Montmartre Residence 10:03 PM]

Doctor Glenda Montmartre sat on the bed and kept reading of those current medical journals which she and her husband received yearly. She was thinking once Emie could get off her tummy, she would be able to join the doctor's conferences and write a book with her husband. Also, she was looking forward to be a mother very soon. She paused reading, sighed, and looked at the window, wondering where he could be at the moment. Suddenly, she felt her little daughter's playful kick from her womb and moaned in slight pain. Glenda gently rubbed her large abdomen to make the girl in the womb behave.

" Emie, I know you're very excited to come out. Your father and I have been waiting for you. You just need to be patient, understand? We'll be very happy to see you, " she said. " I can still feel your playfulness, but we really need to count some sheep. Your daddy will just catch-up in bed soon. "

Glenda covered her mouth and yawned when she placed the book down on her bedside table drawer. Suddenly, she heard a commotion coming from the bathroom. The pregnant pediatrician carefully stood up and brought her spouse's golf club since she was aware that intruders would harm anyone in this household. Glenda has been doing this for the past several months without her husband, becoming vigilant and overprotective. Just then, the bathroom's doorknob slowly turned on its own.

Feeling anxious, Glenda readied herself to hit the intruder and intently glared at it. The door slowly opened as the tall armored man appeared and stepped into the bedroom. She sighed in relief and brought down the golf club.

" Oh, thank goodness, " she commented. " I thought you're one of those Dark Elves. You could have used the front door and knocked, instead. "

" I didn't mean to scare you, Glen, " the Blue Knight replied and brought a bunch of red roses to his wife. " I just came from patrolling the streets and the Dread Wolves village. I never forgot to pick some flowers for you before crossing the Eluvian. "

" You're still the sweet angel that I married. Do you mind if I see your handsome face behind the helmet? "

The armored physician-warrior nodded, placed down his wife's bouquet of red roses onto her bedside, and carefully removed his helmet. Amnon sincerely smiled, gently pecked at his wife's soft and smooth cheeks, and embraced her. Glenda hugged back, felt pleased to see him, and also kissed her spouse's cheeks in return. She placed her right hand on his chest and lifted her left foot.

" I'm home, Glen, " he calmly said.

" Did you encounter those Dark Elves again? "

" I did. It was tiring to deal with them when I saw another victim of their terror. "

" Who? " Glenda inquired.

" He happened to be a phooka policeman who happened to be my interrogator several days ago, " Amnon replied. " He was stabbed before I treated his wounds. "

" Oh, dear. They could do the worst, I take it? "

" They also threatened monsieur Ivy's daughter. "

Glenda sighed and gently cupped her husband's face, " At least, my Blue Knight has come to intervene. "

" Thanks, it's just like bringing back the contractor guild days, but only I have to make an alter-ego for this exploit. "

" Perhaps, I will passionately sleep next to the Blue Knight very soon, " Glenda smirked and teased her husband, poking his chest.

Amnon blushed harder than a few minutes ago at his wife's remarks and passionately kissed her neck and shoulders. He lovingly caressed her, flirtingly grinned, and chuckled, " I really love your proposal this extra special engagement in the future! I'm really looking forward for it, but not now we still have a nearly full-term daughter inside the womb! That can wait when we have decided to have another sibling for her. "

" Oh, right, " she also blushed and nodded in agreement. " Emie's still awake. She's been so excited to come out of me very soon. "

" Right, I'll just need to check on her. "

The armored physician-warrior knelt down and gently placed his right ear on his wife's large protuding abdomen. He focusedly heard his daughter's heartbeat and felt her feet moving. Amnon smiled at his wife and gently rubbed her tummy in response to his playful daughter.

" It's her way of saying 'hi', " he said. " She's still up at the time of the night. "

" Emie will grow up as a friendly and fine young lady, " she replied. " Can't wait her coming out and growing up. "

" She will, Glen, " Amnon stood up and cupped his wife's face.

Glenda and Amnon were about to have their romantic kiss when they got interrupted by doorbell and followed by a knock. They exasperatedly sighed and shared glances.

" Oh, dear! Cheesecake, you can't show up as the unhelmeted Blue Knight to anyone! " she anxiously cried. " Remember about..."

"...Having a secret identity? " he continued the thought. " You can go ahead check who's knocking. I'll go get changed. "

" Right. "

Glenda hurriedly left the bedroom and headed to the stairs when the knocking on the door uncessantly continued. She instantly opened it, saw a taller dark-haired man than her spouse, and recognized him.

" Hello, Shemlock! You have just arrived, " she slightly smiled and greeted at her fellow Odyssea Academy alumnus friend. " But are you supposed not to knock too loudly at this time of the night? "

" Glenda, I need to talk to you and your husband, " the Aldernian detective sternly spoke and indignantly glared at her.

Glenda hid her hesitation, gave her old friend a warm smile, and answered, " Amnon's in the bathroom, you know? "

" A sense of urgent urination that his bladder tells him and a sudden bowel movement that he attends to or is it something else? "

" Shemlock, why on Iliad seem to be so suspiciously harsh and uncompromising on everyone's privacy? " she asked him with concern. " Like seriously, you have never been like this since Odyssea Academy days. "

" You are very overprotective of your husband's activities. Your hesistant demeanor tells me of something that you don't want to disclose, " Shemlock deduced and explained. " I truly understand that a doctor's work very taxing and meticulous. You and Amnon have been saving so many lives which I have appreciated. It's just I have found very interesting about the mysterious knight, thie evening. "

" Shemlock, that knight happened to be a recently hired bodyguard, " she made an excuse. " Amnon and I decided to have someone to look after us. Do you understand that my husband needs another person to protect him and everyone after all those things had happened? "

" Now, where is that armored bodyguard of yours, Glenda? "

" Cheese, Shemlock. He's just a stay-out household helper, " Glenda shrugged. " Amnon and I can't afford to have another stay-in staff. Mama Karola already has two carers. "

Hearing the conversation and going down the stairs, Amnon was dressed in a white long sleeved shirt and maroon sweater, a pair of khakis, dark socks, and slippers. He stood beside Glenda, fixed his glasses on his face, heavily sighed, and looked at his long-time friend.

" Shemlock, what on Iliad have you gotten into my wife?! " he asked. " You banter her with so much questions. Can you consider she's reaching her 9th month pregnancy?! She can't be too stressed. "

" I'm just trying to uncover the secret identity of your mysterious bodyguard who I met this evening, " Shemlock seriously answered. " I still have no clear answers from you both. "

Amnon looked plainly at him and crossed his arms. He cocked his eyebrows and smiled. Glenda turned to her husband and remained silent. Instead of responding him, the general practitioner handed him some spare keys. Shemlock looked nonplussed and titled his head in confusion, receiving some house keys.

" Is this your way of telling me to shut-up? " he asked.

" Yes, " Amnon nodded, still smiling at him. " Perhaps, if you can understand that everyone's sleeping at the time of night and come here very late, I'm giving you some spare keys including your room. "

" What about..."

" We can still talk about that some other time. Besides, it's a wrong timing that you ask a lot of questions about your encounter with the Blue Knight. Oh, I haven't eaten my supper yet. Have you also skipped eating? "

Shemlock simply replied, " Yes, I am. "

" I assume your suspicion has come from skipping meals, " Amnon deduced and turned to his wife who chuckled at the two men.

" Oh, I still keep that left over meal at the fridge. You guys can eat it, " Glenda said.

" Thank you, Glenda, " the Aldernian detective nodded and let it slide. The three people had headed into the kitchen and dining area where they could eat and discuss other things.

[Monoceros Keep General Hospital: 8:00 AM, 28th of Umbral-Tide/Darktide, Year 426]

The emergency room was filled with outpatient people. Inspector Tier Sauveterre found himself sleeping at the stretcher when the nurse asked him to sleep at the hospital and wait for another attending physician in the morning. Just then, he heard some conversations in Franken which a familiar male voice was talking to a nurse. Tier recalled talking to Doctor Montmartre several days ago in the interrogation. This time, he was slowly sitting up and hearing.

" Docteur Montmartre? " Inspector Sauveterre said, calling his name.

A tall blonde bespectacled man wearing in blue scrubs and a white lab coat paused talking to the nurse. Then, he approached the phooka police inspector and greeted him, " Bon matan, Inspecteur Sauveterre. I believe one of my medical staff had let you to rest for a while. Did they manage to check your wounds upon your arrival? "

" Afraid not, a nurse told me to wait for another physician in the morning, " Sauvterre answered and sighed.

" Right, " he nodded. " Mind if I have look at it? Sil vous plait? "

" Go ahead. "

Amnon checked the wound and recalled what the Blue Knight did last evening. He noticed it was cleansed and properly bandaged. It was no longer bleeding.

" I do require to cleanse your wound once again. I need to check if it has penetrated the subcutaneous part of your skin upto the muscles. Now, hold still. "

The general practitioner carefully removed the bandages and checked the wound was about to reach scabbing. It was not a deep wound, but a superficial one. He applied salt water and cleansed it. Then, he treated it with alcohol and povidone iodine with cotton ball. Tier winced and moaned in pain. Then, he carefully placed the gauze and bandages.

" I should've been more smarter with engaging the suspects. I'm not who I used to be, " the phooka police inspector heavily sighed and said.

" Remember, what I told you that Umbrals are not easy to trifle with? " he asked. " Thank goodness, the Blue Knight just came as a back-up to your forces. "

" Who is the Blue Knight anyways? "

" He happened to be my recently hired bodyguard and majordomo, " Amnon replied. " He just showed up days after my clinic got hostaged and destroyed and decided to protect me and my family for any further threats. "

" Since when do you need a bodyguard? Docteur, please do the smart things and are strategic, " Tier indignantly said.

Amnon shot a glare, showed his artificial right hand to Tier and explained, " I used to be part of the Odyssea Academy's contractor guild and lost my right hand in a mission by some lunatic Carnival member in Aulia. I decided not to fight for myself because of such things I have seen and experienced. My wife has been worried about me when I arrived. So, we decided to hire someone to protect my family. You know I had PTSD due to war shocks against the Chegarians in the Robanian frontlines. Fighting too much is bad for my mental health. "

Tier remained silent and heard the physician, sadly sighing and looking at the physician's artificial hand. He answered, " I understand, docteur. My department is in horrible shape. I lost all my best detectives and officers to the Umbral Cultists."

" I believe the Blue Knight has taken care of them as he told me last evening. "

" I witnessed it myself, I'll make sure the cultists receive justice for the heinous crimes they did, " Tier answered.

" Right, " he nodded. " Well, did he ask you something about them? "

" They're sick somehow. Perhaps, a plague? " Tier said and sat up from the stretcher.

" Indique, I will give you a couple of things to check on them, "
Amnon recalled from dealing with Nirvana and Phinehas and explained. " There is an Umbral antibody fluid inside them that has penetrated the bloodstream and caused further mutations, killing their healthy cells. If one of the prisoners experience some sign and symptoms of an unexplanable disease causing by it. Chances are they can die anytime soon. "

" Umbral antibody fluid? I thought Umbral is forbidden or evil magic. It's a plague too? How that possible? " Tier asked in confusion.

" Forbidden magic can come in different things. It can come into different results depending on the spell or its degree, but the consequence is heavy, " Amnon replied. " One can be penalised and sentenced to death if an individual refuses to restore himself or herself. If a cursed individual prefers to do redemption, there's a possibility for convalescence and reformation. I prefer to follow the Hippokratic Oath's logic, ' Do no harm to an individual regardless of background.' I developed a cure to restore and let them recover. "

" If only we had a expert in Umbral or Forbidden Magic. My people could've been saved, " Tier slammed his fist into the stretcher in frustration and sighed in discouragement. " I failed them, now they're dead or missing."

" Well, I hope I can let you meet Madame Merrill Anaedaere, the elder of the Dread Wolves Tribe. She knows more than I am. Then, I can let you talk to my patients Nirvana Felsong and Phinehas Earthwood. They're former Umbral Cult members and recovered from the branding. "

" Thank you, Docteur Montmartre, " Tier said as he gave a weak smile.

" You're welcome. Oh, by the way, my friend Shemlock Homes once told me you're having a hard time talking to the Dread Wolves Tribe before. Well, good news, my wife and I are honorary members of this nomadic elven group. Whatever information you need, I can let you meet some people to talk to. "

" Thank you, I wish I came to you sooner. "

Amnon nodded and recalled the interrogation with the phooka police inspector. He curiously tilted his head and remembered the time Tier was smoking in front of him. He reprimanded the police officer to stop puffing nicotine.

" I believe we have met during your interrogation with me. I wasn't a member of the tribe before. You questioned the existence of the 'underground goons' once and never believed that they are responsible for such crimes happening. Yet, you had a hard time to investigate the suspect from my clinic. Now, I am also a Dread Wolf. You can still contact me if you encounter them. "

" Right, I apologize for the interrogation. You must understand I was just doing my job, " Tier said to Dr. Montmartre as he put on his jacket.

" Apology accepted. I'm glad the Blue Knight found you before I came here for my shift. "

" You're not the only one. "

" Oh, Is there someone involved aside from you? " the doctor asked curiously.

" Just saying, docteur. I'm relieved the Blue Knight found me in time, " the Inspector answered.

" Are there any other person who witnessed and got spared? "

" You mean anyone else the Blue Knight saved? " Tier asked.

" Yes, I asked him to search another person aside from you. "

" My colleagues messieurs Shemlock Holmes and Liere Costa and an elven investigative journalist, Neil Carter were with me as well, " Tier answered.

" Are there anyone else? It's because I have met Mr. Lasher Ivy at the ICU and told me of his daughter, Leafa. Then, I relayed this to the Blue Knight to find her. "

The inspector nodded, " Ah oui, mademoiselle Ivy was with us too! "

" I believe the nurse has told me he and his daughter are with Dr. Lestrade at the moment. Would you like to see them? "

" Sure, I still have some time before heading back. "

" They're at the second floor. "

Amnon gestured the phooka police officer when they headed to the elevator. Reaching the ICU area of the second floor and peeking at the room, Tier saw the father and daughter talking to each other along with the Aldernian psychiatrist. Lasher, Leafa, and Greg smiled at the general practitioner and the phooka police inspector. Tier saluted the daughter and smiled back at them as well as Amnon made a thumbs-up. The father and daughter waved at the two men from the window. Greg nodded in greeting and hoped to talk to his younger fellow very soon.

[Moments Later]

The nurses got startled at the room as they saw a baby elephant from tne room. In the other room, Amnon was finished talking and diagnosing a dark-verdant long haired and olive skinned female confined patient in her forties who suffered from dysentery and turned his attention at the commotion. Madame Susanna Cloutier remained on her hospital bed and became nonplussed, turning to her doctor.

" Docteur, que se passe-t-il? (Doc, what's going on?) " she asked curiously and tried to sat-up even she had an IV dextrose tube on her left hand.

" Madame Cloutier, je pense que cela vient de mon autre patient. (Madame Cloutier, I think that is from my other patient.) " Amnon answered.

" C'est l'ennuyeux clown Elandric de ce cirque il y a environ trois jours? (Is that the annoying Elandric clown from that circus around three days ago?) " Susanna asked.

" Absolument, il l'est. (Absolutely, he is.) " Amnon heavily sighed and changed his topic, handing her perscription. " Voici ma prescription pour vous, madame. J'espère que vous pourrez les suivre en conséquence. Lopéramide et Paracétamol, ils doivent être pris toutes les six heures après les repas. (Here's my perscription for you, madame. I hope you can follow them accordingly. Loperamide and Paracetamol, they should be taken every six hours after meals.) "

" Ai-je besoin d'un autre médicament en plus de ceux-ci et du tube de dextrose sur ma main? (Do I require another medication aside from these and the dextrose tube on my hand?) " Susanna queried.

" N'oubliez pas de boire des liquides et des comprimés de déshydratation orale. C'est bon pour trois à sept jours. (Don't forget to drink fluids and oral dehydration tablets. This is good for three to seven days. ) "

" Compris, je dois demander à mon mari Pluto ou à mon fils Charon de les acheter à la pharmacie. (Understood, I have to ask my husband Pluto or my son Charon to buy them in the pharmacy.) " she said and received, browsing it. " Une fois qu'ils sont arrivés ici, je dois endurer ce milieu hospitalier pendant une semaine et récupérer. (Once they come here, I have to endure this hospital setting for a week and get recovered.) "

" Vous guérirez bientôt, madame. (You'll get well soon, madame.) " Amnon smiled sincerely and assured.

Suddenly, a loud elephant noise echoed on the halls of the recovery area. Susanna and her doctor winced and covered their ears for they couldn't stand it. The other doctors, nurses, and the patients murmured at the other room where it emanated.

" Il semble que ce clown nous embête, docteur. (It seems that clown has been bugging us, doctor.) " she remarked and became irritated.

" Je ferais mieux de vérifier ça, madame. J'irai. À bientôt. (I'd better check that out, madame. I'll be going. See you.) " he sighed again and stood-up from his seat.

Amnon headed to the next room and felt embarrassed to the others on the hallway. The injured patient from the Bonaparte Park incident was also his responsibility. He knocked on the recovery room door and frowned.

" Monsieur Wilson, open the door, please! " he loudly called out. " Your antics are disturbing the patients and medical personnel here! I asked you to stop the summoning your elephants inside the room! "

The door opened when the Elandric clown in wooden crutches nervously grinned as the elephants instantly vanished in thin air. Wayne dryly chuckled and saw his attending physician's frowning face.

" Oh, Hi, Doc! " the injured clown widened his his grin. " Sorry, I got bored and started counting..."

" No, no, no, no, no! Don't mention that loud animal! " Amnon warned and moved his left index finger to and fro.

" Hehehehe...right! I got the X-ray thingy from a lovely nurse three minutes ago, " Wayne held the large envelope, blushed, and formed a number three on thin air as it suddenly disappeared. " She's so gorgeous! "

" Monsieur, I just need to see the film so I can check it, " the general practitioner reminded and entered his patient's room.

" Oh, right! "

Wayne sat down on his bed and placed his crutches on his side. Amnon grabbed a chair and also sat down when he opened the large envelope and carefully released the dark X-ray film. He intently glared at the left fibula which it remained intact, but the tibia was cracked. The Elandric clown curiously looked at his attending physician and tilted his head.

" Yo, Doc! What is it? " Wayne asked.

" You have a left tibular fracture, " Amnon seriously broke his silence. " I had noticed that back in your admission. Your lower left bone was cracked. "

" Yeoouch..."

" Definitely, it requires either non-surgical or surgical treatment. "

" Oh crud, Doc. That means I'm gonna have some nails inside my cracked bone to fix it, " Wayne anxiously remarked when some nails appeared on his bedside. " How much am I gonna have that surgery? "

" That recovery will be quick if you undergo in this. Let's say around 20,000 Creds or 5,000 Dracs, " the general practitioner simply answered. " Except daily expenses for hospital confinement, physical therapy, and pain killers. "

" Damn, that's a big sum of money to pay, " the clown mage spoke when a money bag appeared and vanished. " Look, Doc. I can't afford to pay the 20 grand. I haven't got paid yet. The young boss is also injured. I can't get near to Boss Hilden. "

" Why is that? "

" Well, Boss Hilden has a heart attack or something, I dunno. He has been in the hospital for a very long time. "

" I see. Do you have another manager at work who handles you? "

" I'll be very frank with you, Doc. That thin Foranean matchstick guy who has a head honcho gives me the creeps. He's indeed very shady. "

" Okay? " Amnon raised his voice in doubt and nodded.

" Yeah, that guy didn't get us paid right. He just kept the money by himself, " Wayne shrugged. " Honestly, I can't afford the surgery. Perhaps, you guys from Odyssea Academy or elsewhere have a healing potion or something. "

" So, you prefer to have pain killers or any alternative medicines aside from your cast and physical therapy? "

" Yeah, Doc, " he nodded.

" Are you allergic to any medications? "

" Nope. "

" When it comes to normal non-surgical treatment, it will take four to six months for your recovery, monsieur Wilson. I need to set your expectation that you will be under medical leave. Also, your cast and braces need to be changed. "

" Right..." the clown sadly sighed and looked at the window. " I guess I'll be in long vacation without money... "

" Monsieur, which one you will prefer: having difficulties while performing or recover first? "

" I guess recovery will do. " Wayne slightly smiled and nodded. " When I get better, I know what to do, Doc. "

" Of course, " Amnon smiled back at him and changed topic, writing his perscription to his patient and handing it to him. " By the way, monsieur, I'm very curious. You mentioned something about that head honcho or monsieur matchstick. Is it true that man doesn't pay you? "

" Yeah, very sketchy. I really just wanted to talk to the boss and warn him about it, like he took all the money from the circus," he received and read it.

" Is he benefitting it for himself? "

" I think so, Doc. " Wayne gestured his doctor and lowly whispered at his ear. " He wants to ditch all of us and the bosses. If you wanna know why, you'd better ask him or his son. They can tell you more about it. "

(Lasher and Leafa Ivy belongs to Knightfall077)

(Tier Sauveterre and Neil Ingrid Carter belongs to BjornGamR27)

(Liere Costa and Wayne Wilson belongs to valorithsaga)