Arthur sat back in his chair. Next, Rina announced that it would be Ryouta’s turn to give his briefing on his findings. I really wanted to find out what he had been up to because I was too busy pretending to be the best player in the game to keep track of what they were doing beyond what Rina reported back to me, which was that although at first he had done some investigation he had spent most of his time just spending time among the players doing quests and solving crimes and mysteries which were not that important to us. I suppose this made sense since he was in charge of the City Guard.
“Basically I don’t have definite proof yet but my instincts tell me that the culprit is VHEPO.” Ryouta said while the screens displayed the VHEPO’s logo which was an upside down laureled globe.
“The first time I came across VHEPO was when I started to investigate the suicide of a player due to debts he incurred in the game.”
“Are you referring to the John Fargo case? Inspector Lestrade of the Newcastle police force made a thorough investigation into that.” said Chamberlain. “The boy got indebted to some low-level criminals in order to procure illicit drugs for his parents. Then got indebted in the game to buy some equipment over his level to quickly make some cash through killing farming some bosses. Obviously, the guilds were not too happy about this upstart trying to steal their bosses, and so he was defeated and lost his equipment. Seeing no way out, he killed himself. Seems like a pretty closed case to me.”
“I am surprised the prime minister is aware of such game terminology.”
“Don’t underestimate me kid. Although I may be old, this is my project, of course I would know that much.”
Lain audibly yawned while Celestina was doing her best to project an image of paying attention but I knew that her head was empty. Well, she deserves some credit for trying not to cause me any trouble.
“Of course, that makes perfect sense. What doesn’t make sense however is that story you have been sold by Lestrade, which is not surprising since Lestrade got to his position not thanks to his ability but because of his loyalty to your party.”
“You can’t make an omelette without breaking an egg or two, even if that egg happens to be the British Justice System, which was already broken to start with.” Joked Chamberlain, not intent on taking responsibility for anything. “So tell me kid, what did poor old Lestrade miss in his investigation?”
“Quite a lot. I suppose he was just trying to protect you, and us of course, by making the kid seem to be an idiot. But rather than from me, let’s hear it straight from his mouth.”
The door opened and a brown haired boy with a blank expression wearing the Castle Academy’s uniform entered the Student Council room.
“What the hell have you done!?” asked Helen, raising her gun at Ryouta this time whereas Chamberlain’s eyes calmly smiled like this had been what he had expected but did not try to stop Helen.
The boy quickly ran and disarmed the gun and pushed Helen on to the table making her breast press against the table and almost overflow out of her blouse.
“Let her go, John. I want you to tell them your story. Make it brief.”
The boy let go of Helen and stopped next to Ryouta who was behind me. Rina always stood aside and stood immobile like a piece of furniture when it was someone else’s turn to speak.
“As you wish.” Then the boy turned towards the table. “I am a copy of John Fargo. John tried to upload his consciousness to this game by modifying his brain chip’s software but he failed. I have John’s memories but none of his feelings.”
“Who killed you?” asked Lain.
“My parents.”
“Is there any proof?”
“None, other than my memories.”
“Hey, Ryouta, are this thing’s memories reliable?”
“Hardly. As I said, I don’t have definite proof. If murder victims could be brought back to life, then that would be the end of detectives.”
“I see, I don’t really care about what happens to detectives though. Let’s ask it if it knows why it was killed then.”
