Esteban Costa. If anyone could help them find the Keys, it was him, or so Celia had said. That was why the members of Lily Moon traveled to San Marino. However, it could be dangerous because the Hunters were there.
Sophie: "Hmm. Hurry up."
Fiona: "Come on."
Rosika: "Mm."
Siegfried: "Got you."
Rosika: "Thank you."
Siegfried: "You're welcome."
Marcus: "Hmm... let's see how today goes."
A few minutes later.
Sophie: "So... if I remember correctly, I was told he's a nobleman. We'd better be careful. Recently it came out that he... well... had relationships with his maid servants. Well, relationship is the wrong word... they were forced... at least that's what most newspapers said."
Fiona: "Hmm... why is someone like that even allowed to have such important information?"
Sophie: "Hahh... he doesn't live very far from here. It'll take about... ten... actually fifteen minutes."
Siegfried: "I see."
They boarded a bus.
Sophie: "Hmm."
Fiona: "(Yawns)..."
Sophie: "Looks like someone is still tired."
Fiona: "Yeah... three hours really aren't enough for me. I usually sleep nine or ten hours."
Marcus: "That much? Interesting..."
Sophie: "Yeah. It's probably because she's in pain and has to sleep longer because of it."
She took a pill.
Gulp!
Fiona: "There."
Rosika: "Hmm..."
Fifteen minutes later.
Sophie: "We're here. Let's get off."
They got off the bus.
Fiona: "So... this must be the place."
Crash!
Before they could knock, the door suddenly opened.
Esteban: "Would you just get out already?"
Journalist: "Hey... hey... Mr Costa... stop... ow!"
She fell to the ground.
Journalist: "Ouch..."
Sophie: "Hey, are you alright?"
She helped her up.
Journalist: "Oh... thank you."
Esteban: "Now get out."
Sophie: "Hey, what was that? You can't just shove her."
Fiona: "Hmm? A journalist..."
Esteban: "And who are you?"
Fiona: "We're detectives from Dark Umbrella. We have a few questions for you."
Esteban: "I have nothing to say. Leave."
Fiona: "Celia sent us."
Esteban: "Ugh... mm... (Sigh)... Come in."
Fiona: "Hmm."
She looked at the journalist and motioned with her head for her to stay calm.
Journalist: "Huh..."
Sophie: "Sorry... um... could you stay here? As soon as I come back, I'll take you to a doctor."
Journalist: "Oh, that's not necessary... I just need the money... otherwise I won't be able to pay my rent."
Sophie: "Hahh..."
She took out some money.
Sophie: "Here... take this. I hope it helps a little. If I find any information... you can reach me at this number. But only if I learn something about... um... well... the things he's doing. If he really is harassing his maid servants."
Journalist: "You'd really do that? Thank you..."
Fiona: "Sophie... come on."
Sophie: "Oh... right."
She went inside.
The journalist smiled.
Journalist: "Hehe..."
She walked down the street.
Journalist: "Hehehehe..."
Esteban: "So what exactly does Celia want from me?"
Sophie: "Where are the eight Keys? According to Celia, two have already disappeared."
Esteban: "What? Who could have taken them?"
Fiona: "That's why we're asking where they are, so we can stop those people. You're better off not knowing who they are."
Esteban: "So... you're not here because of the accusations against me?"
Sophie: "Hmm?"
Fiona: "No. Honestly, whether you're really that disgusting or not doesn't matter to me right now... Hmm?"
A maid entered.
Maid: "Here... your coffee."
Esteban: "Thank you, my dear."
He took the coffee.
Sophie: "Huh?"
Fiona: "Hmm...?"
Esteban: "Before you ask... no, I didn't buy them. I took them in from the government. When those Saint Louis members were found dead, several women were discovered at their hideouts. They were apparently going to be sold. Nobody wanted them... so I took them in."
Sophie: "Oh."
Fiona: "Hmm... she seems to like you."
Esteban: "Are you here because of the Keys? Then I'll tell you where they are... under one condition."
Sophie: "Hmm?"
Esteban: "I want you not to tell anyone... about the maid from earlier."
Siegfried: "Something smelled strange."
Rosika: "What do you mean?"
Siegfried: "I don't know."
Marcus: "Hmm... that woman was sweating heavily... I see... Siegfried... I know what you mean. He isn't harassing them... no... at least not necessarily. But the rumors that he sleeps with them... probably aren't just rumors."
Rosika: "Igh..."
Esteban: "Here... I've written down the names of the cities where they are. There are two in Sebastian... two in Naranja... one in San Marino... and there used to be two in San Madrid. I assume those are the missing ones. And one more in Girasol."
Sophie: "Oh... thank you very much."
Esteban: "You're welcome. Now leave."
Fiona: "Have a nice day, Mr Costa."
Mr Costa: "Yeah... yeah... just leave."
He sat back down while they left the building.
Siegfried: "What an asshole."
Rosika: "Yeah... I don't like him."
Fiona: "The way he spoke with that maid... I think he's actually in a relationship with them... without abuse."
Sophie: "It still sounds wrong."
Fiona: "I don't care. He can do whatever he wants. If they're fine with it, then that's their problem too."
Sophie: "Huh?... Maybe he's taking advantage of them."
Fiona: "Sophie, they have brains too. They can think for themselves. If someone is foolish enough to sit on anyone's lap, then both sides deserve criticism. Men who exploit women and women who allow themselves to be exploited. And the other way around too. That's simply how it is. I don't understand why only he disgusts you. Both of them disgust me. Let's just go."
Marcus: "Yeah... that's for the best."
They continued walking.
Sophie: "One Key is in San Marino... but it only gives the general location... not exactly where it is."
Fiona: "That would've been too easy anyway. At least we know where it might be."
Meanwhile.
Esteban: "Hehe..."
He was about to close the door when someone stopped it.
Esteban: "Huh?... Who are you?"
der Musiker "Excuse me, sir... I believe I need your help."
Esteban: "Huh? No thanks."
Crash!
Maid: "Aaaaargh!"
The Skeleton: "I would reconsider that, sir."
Esteban: "Ugh... no! Leave her alone!"
Der Musiker: "We want you to tell us where the Keys are."
Esteban: "Hahh..."
The Musician: "And I mean the exact location."
Esteban: "Huh..."
The Joker: "Stop, Musician."
She walked inside.
Esteban: "Ugh... you!"
It was the journalist from earlier. She picked up a bottle and poured the liquid over her head. Her hair turned blonde again.
The Joker: "Now then... where were we? Ah yes... please tell us where the Keys are."
Esteban: "...I can't."
The Joker: "Der Musiker. why don't you take care of the young lady?"
Der Musiker "With pleasure."
He grabbed the maid's arm.
Esteban: "What are you doing?!"
He pulled so hard that her arm almost tore off.
Maid: "Aaaaaaaaargh!"
The Joker: "If you refuse to tell us... then your maid will have to live... without an arm."
Esteban: "Okay! Okay! Stop! I only know the general areas! Not the exact locations!"
The Joker: "Hmm."
She pushed him aside and Der Musiker stopped.
Der Musiker: "Hmm."
The Joker: "Tell us everything you know. And don't you dare lie. If you lie... I'll kill you... your maids... your parents... your children... and everyone you know. Even the people who only ever said hello to you. Consider yourself warned."
She grabbed him by the hair.
The Joker: "So don't lie to us."
Esteban: "Okay... okay..."
Sophie: "...Mm."
Rosika: "Can I ask something? Which one of you has been working longer?"
Sophie: "If you mean overall, me."
Fiona: "If you mean as a Crow, me."
Rosika: "Oh."
Sophie: "I graduated when I was twelve. Fiona didn't graduate until she was thirteen."
Rosika: "Oh. Did you always work together back then?"
Sophie: "Back then, we didn't really like each other. Hehe."
Fiona: "Yeah. She used to bully me when we were kids because of my white hair and my walking cane. Sophie was mean when she was little."
Sophie: "Hey..."
Rosika: "Oh..."
Sophie: "Hahh... I used to handle missions by myself. I was furious when I heard that Fiona, the girl I knew, became a Crow at eighteen... while I didn't become a Crow until I was twenty, and now I'm not one anymore."
Rosika: "Why?"
Fiona: "There was a mission... and... well... we failed it. But they blamed Sophie because they believed she was responsible for losing her Crow title."
Rosika: "Oh..."
Sophie: "Yeah. Compared to the others, I haven't accomplished that much. Marcus did an incredible amount during the Heitelheimer War. Fiona found Zantanel and warned everyone about her. She even sealed Cinderella, well... at least half of her power. And Tom Fog... well... Tom Fog was Tom Fog... he was a legend."
Fiona: "Mm. He was my mentor."
Sophie: "Daisy accomplished a lot too. She saved an entire kingdom from a great beast. But after Tom Fog died... she was never the same again. He was her mentor too."
Fiona: "And you bullied her when you were kids as well."
Sophie: "Yeah..."
Rosika: "And what about the two new ones? Colletta and Rio? I think those were their names."
Sophie: "Yeah. They've contributed a lot since they joined us. For example, Rio found the Heart of the Mermaid, and Colletta has been pursuing Zantanel for years. By the way, they're both our friends."
Fiona: "Yeah. They're both good people."
Sophie: "Yep. But they're actually from another era. Era Twelve."
Rosika: "What?"
Sophie: "They're from the past. The only reason they're still alive is because of the curses they carry... thanks to Cinderella."
Fiona: "Back to the mission. What do you think these Keys really are?"
Sophie: "I thought they were only meant to open the Labyrinth... or rather, the City of the Vampires."
Fiona: "Yeah... but I doubt they're after the vampires. There's something there that they want... something valuable."
Sophie: "Yeah... that makes sense..."
Rosika: "What could it be?"
Sophie: "Hmm..."
Fiona: "Something valuable... hmm..."
Bzzz.
The television inside the train suddenly turned on.
Television: "Breaking News. Esteban Costa has gone missing... and his maid servants have been found dead."
Sophie: "What?!"
Fiona: "Hmm?!"
Rosika: "Ugh..."
Marcus: "Well... looks like they're here."
Fiona: "The Hunters... they probably know we're here."
Marcus: "Come on. Let's get off. We don't want to put innocent people in danger."
Fiona: "Yeah. We'll continue on foot."
Sophie: "Right."
They got off the train.
Sophie: "Hmm... I really wish we had a car."
Marcus: "Hahh... hello."
Marcus spoke into his communicator.
Marcus: "I'd like two cars, please. I need them within twenty five minutes if possible... Hmm?... They need to fit five people... Thanks."
He hung up.
Marcus: "Now we wait."
Sophie: "(Sweating)... Since when can we do that?"
Fiona: "(Sweating)... The real question is... how did he even think of that...?"
Marcus: "What? Dark Umbrella is always willing to fulfill the Crows' requests. You should take advantage of that too, Fiona."
Fiona: "Thanks, but I don't like doing that. It makes me feel like a noble... and I hate nobles... even more than I hate the Hunters."
Sophie: "Why?"
Fiona: "Money. They only care about money and are willing to step all over ordinary people just to get more of it. They complain when they don't get a five course lunch, while the poor are grateful just to have a piece of dry bread. I think it shows that the more people have, the unhappier they become whenever they don't get what they want. They only care about money... and fame."
Sophie: "Yeah... but not all of them."
Fiona: "Yeah... that's true."
Marcus: "Hmm..."
Twenty five minutes later.
Beep!
Marcus: "They're here. I'll drive... Hey, bro. Come with me."
Siegfried: "You sure?"
Marcus: "Of course. Let the girls drive by themselves."
Siegfried: "Alright."
Fiona: "I'll drive."
Sophie: "No. No. No. I'll drive. We want to arrive safely, not with broken arms."
Fiona: "Hahh... alright."
Sophie: "Okay."
They started driving.
Marcus: "Hmm."
Siegfried: "...Hmm."
Buzz!
Marcus: "Hey, Sophie. I'll search the forest. You head to the house... or whatever is supposed to be there."
Sophie: "Okay."
Marcus: "See you soon."
Sophie: "Yeah."
Vroom!
Sophie: "Hmm?"
Fiona: "(Pouting)... Hmph."
Sophie: "Stop pouting. You can drive on the way back."
Fiona: "I'm not pouting."
Sophie: "Hahh... Huh..."
Something was blocking the road. She turned the steering wheel, but the car slammed into the side of the road before falling.
Crash!
Sophie: "Ow..."
Fiona: "Well... so much for arriving safe and sound."
Sophie: "Seriously, shut up. That's my first accident."
Fiona: "So? I've already had three."
Sophie: "Wow..."
They climbed out of the car.
Sophie: "Rosika, come here."
She helped Rosika out.
Rosika: "Huh..."
Sophie: "Are you alright?"