Chapter 7

"There's a particularly dense residue over there."

After walking through the mixed forest for about ten minutes, we arrived at a spot that was glowing strongly orange. Abagnail ran over to the direction I pointed.

"Isn't this a burn mark? You know, from... the limbs."

The area was blackened like a campfire site, and gray bone-like objects were visible.

"It seems so. It looks like he fled this way without a doubt."

Baker nodded.

We emerged from the forest and continued walking for a few more hours. Despite setting out in the morning, the sun had already passed its zenith.

"We've come quite far out of town. The buildings are getting fewer. How far did that Quintus run?"

Abagnail, panting, grumbled. Despite being the youngest and seemingly the fittest among the three of us, he looked the most exhausted. Thanks to my daily magic circulation, I wasn't tired at all. Baker, who was a bit older than my father, should be starting to feel his age, yet he showed no signs of fatigue. For a criminal, being pursued by a man like him must be quite unpleasant.

Suddenly, the traces of Quintus's magic disappeared. It wasn't that the light had faded over time; the trail had simply ended here.

I stopped, and Baker and Abagnail halted a moment later.

"Roy, what's wrong?"

Abagnail looked at my face.

"The trail ends here."

"Here?"

Baker and Abagnail looked around. The buildings were sparse, and there were almost no people despite it being daytime.

"Is there anything beyond this point?"

Abagnail tilted his head.

"I've been to this area before. If I remember correctly, if you turn left at that T-junction, you should reach a main road."

Baker pointed ahead.

"Did he use the less-traveled path to escape, thinking he was far enough away, and then join the main road? Maybe he lives around here."

"That would be nice. We can check the inns and such later, but let's go a bit further. The trail might reappear."

Following Baker's suggestion, we started walking again.

"Which way should we go? There doesn't seem to be anything to the right."

As we approached the T-junction, Abagnail looked to the right. The road was an uphill slope leading to a more secluded area.

"Quintus's hideout is probably an abandoned house or a ruin where no one lives. This quiet road might be a good bet. It seems like it could lead to a hideout, doesn't it?"

Abagnail said.

"Well, I think so too, but I'm a bit hung up on the fact that he was dressed properly when he appeared at the lecture. It takes some effort for someone completely cut off from society to tidy up their appearance. He might be living a more normal life than we think."

"Is that so? Then let's go left?"

"…No, let's check the right first."

I silently followed the two as they decided on the direction and started walking. We climbed a narrow slope. The road was paved, so there should be something ahead, but after a short walk, withered trees began to appear on both sides, giving an eerie feeling.

"Do you know what's ahead, Inspector?"

"I don't. This is my first time here."

After walking for a while, the trees on both sides of the road disappeared, and we came to an open area. In front of us was a long, gray, two-story building. It looked like it had originally been white but had become dirty over time, giving a sense of the passage of years. The gate was rusted red, and I hesitated to touch it with my bare hands.

"Ah, I remember, there used to be a mental hospital here."

Baker said, as if recalling something.

"A mental hospital?"

Abagnail repeated the unfamiliar word. I didn't know such a place existed in this country.

"Look over there."

Baker nodded his chin, gesturing to the side of the gate.

---Grayridge Mental Hospital---

"Quintus doesn't seem like the type to come here."

Abagnail tilted his head.

"Maybe he finally realized his mental abnormalities and came to be admitted."

I said, hoping it was true, though I didn't really believe it.

"Haha, I doubt it. But it would be nice if he were here! Wait, wouldn't that be bad? If Quintus is here, we might run into him..."

Abagnail nervously glanced at Baker.

"If we just turn back without doing anything, it would be a waste of our time. Of course, we should go in and investigate. However, Quintus might recognize Roy's face, so it could be dangerous if he's really inside. —How about this, Abagnail, you go in alone. Roy and I will hide in the nearby bushes."

"Me, alone? I understand about Roy, but you can come with me, Inspector!"

Abagnail's face turned pale as he protested to Baker.

"Fewer people are less suspicious. Besides, you look more like a civilian. If you run into Quintus, you can pass as a regular person."

Abagnail looked at me for help, but I agreed with Baker. Baker's eyes didn't look like those of a regular person, and he would likely be suspected even if it wasn't Quintus.

I nodded encouragingly at Abagnail. He resigned himself and turned to the building, gripping the gate. Baker and I descended the slope and hid in the trees.

After a while, we saw Abagnail come down the slope, looking around nervously. Baker called him over.

"I'm not sure if it was Quintus, but a tall man came to visit earlier. He left a while ago. No one else has come, he said."

Baker and I exchanged glances. We might have hit the jackpot.

We climbed the slope again and opened the entrance door of the mental hospital.