Are these anomalies... really that strange? Not necessarily.
Kevin coming to the ball could be seen as a last-minute whim or being persuaded by MEI. Asking about Lin whereabouts could have been concern after seeing Lin frantic departure and the subsequent scene of him tying up Chiaki. Making no other moves during the ball was simply because his cold aura made it impossible for anyone else to get close to him.
...No, I can't think like that.
At this moment, he was a villain, an absolute bad guy. He couldn't think of Kevin in a positive light as he usually did. Instead, he had to use a conspiracy-theory mindset to consider the deeper meaning behind Kevin's actions.
He came to the ball to create an alibi. Asking about Lin and Chiaki's whereabouts was to scout for a target to frame. Making no other moves was to observe and select prey that would be easy to strike.
Perhaps even before going to the ball, Kevin's consciousness had already been swallowed by the Honkai Beast inside him, leaving him thinking only of destruction and murder.
However, speaking of anomalies, Lin actually discovered another problem.
In the base, he didn't seem to see the Armed Dolls anymore.
Those little dolls that maintained simple tasks at headquarters had vanished without a trace at some unknown point. Since the ball ended, Lin hadn't found them in any corner of the base.
This was at least an anomaly that could be asked about to get an answer, wasn't it?
Thinking this, Lin opened his communicator, found Einstein's number, and tapped the call button—
Tuuuuuuu—
A busy signal.
...Unable to call?
After hanging up, Lin thought for a moment and then walked toward the R&D department.
"The communication channels are currently undergoing an encryption upgrade to prevent possible hacker interception. Therefore, communication between headquarters and other locations has been temporarily cut off."
This was the answer he received.
Seeing Lin remain silent, the R&D researcher shrugged and returned to their work.
Einstein was still at headquarters during the ball last night, but she left early this morning. At the same time, the moving iron dolls disappeared, and by coincidence, the headquarters' communication channels were being upgraded.
This was far from normal.
Why would such a thing happen? Could they...
Lin glanced at the busy R&D staff, walked out of the department, and looked at the people passing by, chatting and laughing.
He started a quick jog down the hallway, swiftly making a circuit of the entire headquarters.
It was too abnormal. Why was this happening?
Questions about "that matter" fermented in Lin heart.
And just then, the white-haired man walking toward him caused Lin to temporarily set aside his doubts.
Frost filled his pupils.
Kevin soon reached him and stood still. Lin looked at him calmly—looked at this friend he was "close" to.
"Lin, we've searched most of the headquarters now, but we've found nothing." Kevin shook his head with a hint of regret.
Searching for what? Searching for the weapon that went missing from Vil-V's Spiral Workshop, of course. Since the killer took it, finding it would be equivalent to finding the killer.
"...I see."
"Lin, I want to ask you something." Kevin's gaze didn't leave Lin. Instead, it moved to his helmet, staring at the visor that symbolized Lin view of the outside world. "Why did you and that hacker investigate without authorization?"
Here it was.
Lin had expected Kevin to ask this question. Kevin had the standing and the role to ask it. So, Lin had already planned his answer.
"Because I found some leads."
"Some leads? What are they?"
As expected, Kevin showed great interest. This made sense; he was currently in charge of the investigation, so Lin couldn't withhold a report.
Furthermore, Chiaki had already said that Lin had discovered the killer but wouldn't tell anyone until the evidence was complete.
But this excuse wouldn't work on Kevin. Orders were everything. Kevin could now command Lin to reveal the identity of the supposed culprit.
So... now was the evil moment to speak the lie.
"The killer is Dr. Einstein."
"What?"
Lin carefully observed Kevin's surprise. it looked incredibly natural—natural in the way he used to be before his face became an iceberg.
"Einstein didn't attend the ball. She was still at headquarters at the time, but she left the next morning. This timing matches exactly with Vil-V's death."
"Wait, based on timing alone—"
"After Einstein left, the Armed Dolls in the base also disappeared."
Reminded by Lin, Kevin noticed that those dolls had indeed vanished from headquarters. Usually, one would occasionally see small figures carrying items or data.
"Einstein possesses extremely high technology. She could easily plant programs in the Armed Dolls to interfere with surveillance and assassinate Vil-V. Given the size and convenience of the dolls, destroying evidence would be very simple."
The reasoning Lin laid out in a few sentences made Kevin fall silent for a moment. He seemed to be thinking, and finally looked at Lin with a sharp gaze.
Did he believe it?
Lin couldn't tell. There were huge holes in this logic; pushing everything onto Einstein's technology and the uniqueness of the Armed Dolls was an extremely irresponsible conjecture.
But if Kevin said he believed it...
"I understand. I will go investigate Dr. Einstein's room next and attempt to dispatch soldiers to capture her."
He believed it.
At this moment, Lin entire body tensed up. He clenched his hands into fists.
"Yes. If possible, can I continue to investigate? Privately. I want to find evidence."
Don't agree with me.
Please, Kevin.
Right now, Lin could be a villain, lying to Kevin and framing Einstein. He had placed his stance on an "error" from the start. As long as Kevin denied him, as long as Kevin's actions could negate his conjectures, then all of this would just be a bad thing done by a bad person. Lin would have been willing to accept the punishment.
But what if... after hearing a chain of reasoning that revealed its errors with even a bit of thought, Kevin still chose to let Lin continue the investigation?
What would that mean?
If the weapon stolen from Vil-V's Spiral Workshop appeared in Einstein's room, and Lin "just happened" to find it while investigating...
What kind of scene would that be?
So, Kevin, do not believe the words of a villain.
Yet, invisible malice had already enveloped Lin.
"Fine."
The heavy word struck Lin heart.