붉은 달의 로제/3권

제3회　좋지 않은 예감

이튿날 아침, 알폰스는 부대 대장인 갈라드의 집무실에 있었다. 『흡혈귀 사건』을 개인적으로 조사하기 위해 허가를 받으러 온 것이다.

갈라드 대장은 머리를 벅벅 긁으며 그 나이에도 쇠하지 않은 예리한 시선으로 친자식 같은 알폰스를 의아하게 바라보았다.

「……너 혼자서 그 사건을 조사하겠다고？」

「아니요. 민간인 중에서 협력자를 찾았습니다. 그 사람과 둘이서 조사할 생각입니다」

알폰스는 정중하게 대답했지만 속으로는 무리한 제안이라는 것을 알고 있었다.

「흡혈귀의 존재는 본래 속세에 밝힐 만한 것이 아닙니다. 둘이서 조사할 수 있도록 어떻게든 변명해 주십시오」

지난 밤 로제는 마지막으로 이 말을 남기고 「그럼 이만」 하며 어둠 속으로 사라졌다. 그녀의 말은 일리가 있었다. 흡혈귀에 대해 아무리 설명해 봤자, 아무리 아버지처럼 친한 갈라드라고 해도 이해해 주진 않을 것이다. 하긴 언데드(구울)를 직접 본 그조차도 꿈이었던 것처럼 생각될 정도였으니.

게다가 로제도 여러모로 사정이 있는지 공개적으로 활동하는 것을 꺼리는 모양이었다. 흡혈귀 사건의 조사대는 정식으로 편성되어 있었지만 로제를 거기에 참가시키면 여러모로 일이 까다로워질 것이다. 그렇기 때문에 더욱 알폰스와 로제 둘이서만 조사를 진행할 필요가 있었다.

역시 가라드의 표정은 그다지 긍정적이라 할 수 없었다.

「……알, 내겐 말이다. 네 아버지를 대신할 책임이 있다. 훌륭한 군인으로 키워주고 싶고 무의미하게 위험한 일을 시키고 싶지도 않아」

알폰스는 원래 정식 편성된 흡혈귀 사건의 조사대나 경계를 위한 심야 순찰에서 제외되어 있었다. 그가 이번 사건에 집착한다는 사실은 물론 갈라드도 알고 있었기 때문이다. 하지만 조사에 사감은 금물. 깊이 관여하면 위험해질 수도 있다.

「……대장님이 말씀하시는 바도 잘 알고 있습니다. 그래도 저는…… 이 사건에는 납득 가능한 형태로 임하고 싶습니다」

「으음……」

알폰스의 결의 가득한 표정을 보고 갈라드는 입을 다물었다. 지금 그에게 있는 것은 망설임이 아닌 분명한 결의와 각오였다. 포기했다는 듯 한숨을 내쉬며,

「이것 참…… 너는 정말 네 아버지랑 똑 닮았어」

그렇게 미소짓고는, 갈라드는 금세 상관으로서의 위엄을 내보이며 알폰스에게 말했다.

「사건 해결을 위해 마지막까지 최선을 다하고 오도록. 단, 조사 내용은 그 날 안에 보고할 것」

「아저……」

자신도 모르게 평소처럼 부를 뻔하여 당황하는 알폰스. 갈라드는 그런 알폰스를 보고 살짝 미소 지으며 「대장님이다」 라는 익숙한 대답을 건넸다.

「절대 무리는 하지 마라. 무슨 일이 있으면 보고하고」

「예！」

그의 배려에 감사를 담아 알폰스는 깊이 경례했다.

「일이 잘 풀린 것 같군요. 정말 다행입니다」

흡혈귀 사건의 첫 피해자가 발견된 제도의 상점가 모퉁이. 건물에 둘러싸인 좁은 골목은 낮에도 조금 어둡다. 알폰스가 그곳으로 향하자 로제가 지난 밤처럼 어디선가 나타나 합류했다. 지난 밤 알폰스가 언데드에게 습격당한 새로운 피해자의 발견 현장으로서 갈라드 부대가 조사를 진행하고 있다. 오늘은 접근하지 않는 것이 좋다는 판단 하에 우선 첫 조사 장소로 여길 고른 것이다.

그녀는 어젯밤 같이 외투나 검을 소지하지 않고, 남이 보면 평범한 동네 아가씨로 보일 청초한 드레스를 입고 있었다. 낮에는 흡혈귀나 언데드는 활동하지 않으니 무장은 불필요한 듯했다. 의심을 사지 않기 위한 복장이라도 군복 차림의 알폰스와의 조합은 역시 이상했기 때문에, 사람이 얼마 없어서 다행이었다며 알폰스는 한숨을 내쉬었다.

현장에는 아직 흉흉한 분위기가 흘렀다. 피해자를 생각하며 조사를 하던 도중 알폰스의 머릿속에 한가지 의문이 떠올랐다.

「그러고 보니…… 지금까지의 피해자는 “언데드”같은 게 안 됐었지. 혹시 당신이 쓰러트렸어？」

「아니요. 어제까지는 언데드가 되기 전에 《법술》로 정화시켰습니다. 가능하면 저도 피해자의 시체에 상처를 입히고 싶지 않으니까요」

법술. 그것은 칠요교회의 일부 사람들이 사용할 수 있다는 특수한 술법이라고 한다. 로제가 갖고 있는 레이피어나 알폰스가 받은 단검에 언데드나 흡혈귀를 잠재울 수 있는 힘을 부여한 것도 법술이라 한다. 다시 교회 관계자냐고 묻자 「뭐, 그렇게 생각하시든지요」라며 쌀쌀하게 대답하는 로제.

어쨌든 시체가 언데드로 변하기까지 필요한 시간은 사건이 발생할 때마다 단축되고 있는 모양이었다. 지난 밤에는 이미 늦어서 싸울 수밖에 없었다고 한다.

「뭐, 예상한 대로입니다. 지금까지도 그랬으니까요.」

물론 당신 같은 분이 머리를 들이밀 거라고는 생각지도 못했습니다만. 쿡 웃는 로제의 말에 어깨를 늘어트리는 알폰스.

「어……어쨌든 지금까지 조사하면서 안 것은 없나？」

쪼그리고 앉아 현장을 둘러보며 알폰스가 묻자,

「흡혈귀는 아마도 남성일 겁니다」라는 로제. 지금까지의 피해자에게 남은 잇자국으로 짐작한 듯하다. 또 그 형태가 같은 것으로 볼 때 단독범일 것으로 보인다. 담담하게 말하는 로제의 추리에 무심코 감탄하는 알폰스.

하지만 그녀는 그대로 입을 다물었다.

「뭔가 마음에 걸리는 점이라도 있어？」

「……네. 어쩌면 이번 사건, 제도에 숨어 있는 것은─」

거기까지 말하고는 갑자기 말을 멈추는 로제. 로제의 시선은 알폰스의 어깨 너머를 향해 있었다. 뒤돌아보자, 그곳에는 군복을 입은 청년이 있었다.

「엘로이？ 왜 여기에……」

그건 그가 잘 아는 인물이기도 했다.

「그건 내가 할 말이야」

기분이 안 좋아 보이는 청년─엘로이는 알폰스와 같은 『갈라드 부대』에 소속된 군인이다. 같은 시기에 군에 들어가, 연령도 거의 다르지 않지만, 둘은 늘 충돌했다. 그게 언제부터였는지 알폰스는 기억하지 못했다.

「별도로 부대를 편성해서 조사하고 있다고 들었는데…… 데이트였나？」

조소 섞인 말투로 불쾌하게 내뱉는 엘로이. 아무래도 흡혈귀에 대해 이야기를 나누고 있던 부분은 못 들은 듯하다. 알폰스는 헛기침을 하며 평소와 마찬가지로 반론했다.

「……그녀는 민간 협력자다. 놀리지 마. 너야말로 여기서 뭘 하고 있지？」

「흥, 그냥 지나가던 길이다. 저 짜증 나는 사건 때문에 순찰 영역이 확대되었거든」

「말 조심하지. 이 부근에는 피해자의 유족들도 산다고」

엘로이는 알폰스의 말에 말 대신 코웃음으로 대답했다. 첫 번째 피해자가 쓰러져 있던 곳을 냉랭하게 바라보며.

「참나…… 『흡혈귀 사건』은 무슨. 명색이 제국 군인이 진지하게 받아들여서 어쩌자고. 애초에 그런 사건이 일어나는데 나돌아다니다니 대체 뭔 생각이래？ 자업자득이지. 왜 사람들 바쁘게 만들어？ 짜증 나게」

「야！」

하지만 다음 순간 팔을 붙들려 제지당한다. 옆에서 듣고 있던 로제다. 그녀는 무표정인 채 엘로이를 보지도 않고 속삭였다.

「（시간 낭비입니다. 이럴 시간이 있다면 조사나 하죠）」

냉정하게, 신랄하면서도 정곡을 찌르는 로제의 말에 알폰스는 급속하게 머리가 식는 것을 느꼈다. 분명 이러한 쓸데없는 다툼이나 하고 있을 때는 아니었다. 무슨 일이 있더라도 흡혈귀 사건을 해결하고 자신의 과거를 청산하기로 맹세했다. 숨을 가다듬고 품에 넣은 은색 단검의 무게를 확인하는 알폰스. 엘로이는 그를 쳐다보며 한심하다는 듯이 다시 한번 코웃음을 치더니.

「거기 아가씨도 밤길 조심해. 군의 일거리를 늘리지 말란 말이야」

그렇게 내뱉고는 자리를 떠났다.

◇

그 후 알폰스와 로제는 세 번째 피해자의 현장을 하루 종일 조사했지만 쓸만한 단서는 발견할 수 없었다. 알폰스는 조사 결과를 갈라드에게 보고한 후, 선술집 《알레그리아》로 향했다. 그곳에 로제와 앞으로의 계획에 대해서 이야기하기로 약속을 했었다.

날이 저물 무렵 들어선 점내에는 드문드문 손님들이 있었다. 창가의 테이블 중 하나에서 로제의 모습을 찾을 수 있었다. 밤이 다가오기 때문인지, 그녀는 그 남보라색 외투를 걸치고 있다. 허리에는 레이피어를 차고 있을 것이다.

「안녕하세요. 늦으셨네요」

알폰스를 본 로제의 말에 그는 대답을 하지 않았다. 어떻게 된 건지 로제의 반대편에 소꿉친구가 앉아 있었기 때문이다.

「왜 그래？ 루카」

그의 목소리를 듣고 뒤돌아본 루카의 눈에는 당장이라도 쏟아져 내릴 듯한 눈물이 고여 있었다.

「아, 알……！ 이 사람하고, 무슨 사이야……！？」

「뭐, 뭐？」

어찌된 영문인지, 로제를 바라보았다. 그녀는 무표정으로 일관했다.

「『알과 차후 계획에 대해 이야기하고 싶으니 자리를 비켜 주십시오』라고 했습니다만…… 그러고 나서 계속 저에게 질문 공세를 하셔서……」

지쳤다는 듯이 고개를 흔들며 한숨을 쉬는 로제. 알폰스는 그녀를 보고 더 큰 한숨을 쉬었다.

그 후 알폰스는 로제가 사건의 협력자임을 설명하고 루카의 오해를 풀 수 있었다. 그녀는 꽤나 안심한 듯, 방금 전까지와는 마치 다른 사람처럼 밝은 표정으로 가게 안쪽으로 되돌아갔다. 다른 손님들의 눈길이 분산되기 시작했고 둘은 그제야 사건에 대한 이후 계획을 논하기로 했다.

──흡혈귀의 힘이 발휘되는 시간은 밤이다. 낮에는 완전히 인간과 다를 바 없는 모습을 하고 있어, 로제도 구별할 수 없다고 한다. 알아내기 위해서는 어떠한 단서를 잡을 필요가 있다. 어쩌면 묘지에 매장된 피해자의 시체를 다시 조사할 필요가 있는지에 대해 생각하자 얼굴이 시퍼래진 알폰스. 하지만 시체에 대해서는 로제가 지금까지 철저히 조사한 듯했다. （시체에서는 이빨자국에 관한 단서밖에 얻을 수 없었다고 한다） 평소에 평범한 인간의 모습을 하며 사람들을 속이고 있는 흡혈귀의 주도 면밀함과 교활함을 둘은 느끼고 있었다.

루카가 가져온 간단한 음식을 다 먹고, 내일 조사계획을 마무리지었을 때, 로제가 가게 안쪽을 힐끗 보더니 속삭였다.

「……아까 분과는 사이가 매우 좋으신 모양이네요」

처음에 로제가 무슨 소리를 하는지 알 수 없었던 알폰스는 아까 일을 떠올리고는 금세 루카 이야기라는 것을 깨달았다.

「아…… 그렇지. 10년 친구니까」

제도에 와 갈라드 밑에서 자라 처음 산 집은 이 가게의 근처였다. 어릴 때부터 갈라드가 자주 데려왔었고 동년대인 알폰스와 루카는 금방 친해졌다. 그녀는 고독한 알폰스의 마음을 위로해 주는 존재가 되었다.

그렇게 설명한 후 알폰스는 왠지 모르게 부끄러워져 코를 긁적였다.

「……조금 부럽네요」

그렇게 말한 로제의 표정은 지금까지 본 적 없는 얼굴이었다. 무표정에, 신랄하며, 담담하게 말을 하는 평소의 그녀의 모습과는 동떨어진, 섭섭함과 같은 감정이 느껴졌다.

보다 못해 말을 건네려고 하는 알폰스.

그 순간.

로제는 갑작스럽게 자리에서 일어섰다. 그녀의 허벅지에 치인 의자가 바닥을 뒹굴고, 손님들의 시선이 다시 한번 주목되었다. 로제는 신경도 쓰지 않은 채 크게 뜬 두 눈으로 창 밖을 바라보았다.

「무……무슨 일이야？」

「이 느낌, 틀림없습니다. 근처에 있습니다」

「있다고……？ 뭐가！？」

「흡혈귀입니다！」

말이 떨어지기가 무섭게 가게 안쪽에서 바쁘게 일하던 사장에게 달려가는 로제.

「방금 그분 어디로 가셨죠！？」

로제의 추궁에 사장은 무슨 말인지 모르겠다고 대답한 듯했다. 움찔하는 알폰스. 그러고 보니 루카가 보이지 않았다. 반 시간 전쯤 식사를 가져온 뒤 다시 가게 안에 들어간 뒤로. 알폰스가 설명하자 사장은 그제야 눈치를 챘다.

「아…… 그러고 보니까 많이 늦네. 반대편 길가에 있는 가게에 식재료를 사러 갔는데……」

알폰스와 로제는 서로를 바라보았다. 안 좋은 예감이 들었다. 둘은 말없이 가게 밖으로 뛰어 나갔다.

Chapter 3 - Foreboding

The next morning, Alphonse found himself in his commanding officer's - Garrard's - office. He had come to request permission to independently investigate the Vampire Murders.

Garrard scratched his head before giving Alphonse a questioning look, his eyes filled with the kind of vitality one would expect from a much younger man.

'...You want to pursue that case all on your own?'

Alphonse cleared his throat nervously. He was well aware that what he was asking was completely unreasonable.

'Not on my own. A civilian has agreed to help me conduct my investigation. The two of us will be working together.'

It sounded pretty weak to him, but Rose had been adamant that they keep the truth of the matter to themselves.

'It wouldn't be to the benefit of society for the existence of vampires to become widely known,' she had insisted. 'As such, try and arrange for us to be able to investigate the murders by ourselves, without interruption.' Aside from a cool 'Farewell for now,' those had been her last words before disappearing into the night. 

And what she said made sense. There was simply no way that Garrard would believe that vampires existed, even if it was his surrogate son trying to persuade him. After all, despite seeing a ghoul with his very own eyes, part of Alphonse still wanted to believe that it had all been a dream.

To compound the problem further, for reasons that Alphonse wasn't privy to, Rose seemed opposed to anything other than investigating the matter covertly. As such, her joining the team formed to officially investigate the murders was off the table. Alphonse was therefore left with no choice but to propose that the two of them investigate together in secret. 

Alphonse was not surprised, then, to see Garrard's  less-than-willing expression.

'Listen, Al. As your guardian, I've got a responsibility to look after you. That's why I want to raise you to be a fine soldier, and why I don't want you putting your life in danger for no good reason.'

Alphonse flushed. He'd already been removed from the team investigating the murders, as well as taken off night patrol duty. Garrard was well aware of his fixation with the case. That was exactly why he was afraid that Alphonse might end up going too far in his attempts to solve it and get injured - or worse. 

'Garrard...sir, I understand exactly what you're trying to say, and I appreciate your concern, but...'

'Hmm...'

Seeing Alphonse's determination, Garrard hesitated. The boy standing before him was calm with clear eyes. Where previously there had been recklessness, now purpose and resolve seemed to rule. After a lengthy silence, he let out a sigh of resignation. 

'...You really do take after your father.'

He smiled fondly, but quickly switched to his official, commanding officer voice.   'I expect you to give your utmost to successfully  solving the mystery behind these murders. However,  I will approve of this mission only on the condition that you report daily on the results of your investigation.'

'Garr--'

Alphonse almost responded in his usual, casual tone, but caught himself just in time. He coughed, cleared his throat, and stood to attention. Garrard chuckled. 

'Just be sure not to put yourself needlessly in danger, understood? And if anything happens, inform me immediately.'

'Yes, sir!'

Alphonse gave a deep bow, grateful for his guardian's kindness. 

'I see that everything went well. That is good news.'

The two of them were in the corner of the shopping district where the first victim of the Vampire Murders had been found. It was the middle of the day, but the alleyway in which they stood was gloomy and draped in shadows by the looming buildings that surrounded it. The second he had stepped into the narrow passageway, Rose had appeared out of nowhere just like the previous day.

Because the place where Alphonse had been attacked by the ghoul the previous night was currently under investigation by the Garrard Team, they thought it best to steer clear of it for the rest of the day. As such, they had decided to examine the scene of an earlier murder instead. 

Unlike the previous night, Rose had neither her coat nor her sword with her. Instead, she wore a simple dress in the local style. Anyone seeing her for the first time wouldn't be able to tell that she was anything more than a perfectly ordinary girl.

According to Rose, neither vampires nor ghouls were able to operate in daylight and thus battle- ready wear was unnecessary. Everyday clothing also had the benefit of allaying suspicion by blending in, she said. It was fine logic in theory, but with Alphonse still garbed in his military uniform they made for an unusual pairing. As such, Alphonse couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief when he realized how few people were in the surrounding area. 

The scene of the first murder still had a solemn air about it. Alphonse set about scouring the area, and as he mused over the case details involving the victim, a question came to mind.

'Thinking about it...I never heard about any of the earlier victims turning into ghouls. Is that because you've been defeating them?' 

Rose shook her head. 'No, in previous cases I was able to purify the bodies with Thaumaturgy before they turned into ghouls. I would rather not harm the bodies of the deceased if I can help it.'

Thaumaturgy, as Rose explained it, was the collective name for special techniques used by a small number of people belonging to the Septian Church. The power of Thaumaturgy was also apparently the reason why Rose's rapier and Alphonse's short sword were capable of defeating ghouls and vampires. Curious, Alphonse asked Rose if she was connected to the church, to which she responded, 'Feel free to think of it that way.' 

He itched to probe her more on the subject, but she began explaining the particulars about ghouls, so he let it drop. Since the murders had started, it seemed that the time it took for a corpse to turn into a ghoul was decreasing with every kill. Alphonse's encounter with the ghoul the previous night was the first occasion that she had been unable to purify the victim in time. As such, she had been left with no choice but to fight.

'Still, that possibility was well within my  expectations. It's not the first time it has happened, after all. That someone like yourself would appear and try to get involved certainly wasn't, however,' Rose said with a giggle, causing Alphonse's ears to turn pink at the tips. 

'A-Anyway...' he said, crouching down to inspect the ground level. 'Have you managed to gather anything about the culprit from your previous investigations?'   Rose nodded. 'Judging by the bite marks left on the victims, I believe that the vampire is likely male. Furthermore, despite victims being found all across the city, the bite marks look the same as one another. That suggests the work of a single vampire.  Beyond that, however...' 

Rose fell silent.

'Is something bothering you?' Alphonse asked without thinking.

'...Yes, actually. It may be possible that the vampire lurking in the city is...'

She stopped mid-sentence. Her gaze was focused on something behind Alphonse. Turning around, he saw a  young man in a military uniform much like himself. It was someone he knew.

'Elroy? What are you doing here...?' 

'I was about to ask you the same thing,' the other man grumbled.

Elroy was a fellow member of the Garrard Team who had joined around the same time as Alphonse did. That combined with the two being roughly the same age, one might expect them to get along well, but in reality they usually ended up arguing about everything. It had been like that for almost as long as Alphonse had known him.

'I'd heard you'd formed a separate team to check up on the murders, but I had no idea that it was just a pretext to be meeting a woman during working hours,' Elroy sneered. 

Alphonse stifled his annoyance. At least it seemed as if the other man hadn't overheard their earlier conversation.

Clearing his throat, Alphonse said evenly, 'She's a civilian who's assisting with my investigation, so knock it off. And you? What are you doing here?'

'Hmph. Nothing in particular, I just happened to be passing by. We've got to patrol a much wider area now thanks to all this 'vampire' nonsense.'

Alphonse stood and gave him a cold look.

'Watch what you're saying. People in this area have lost family and friends because of these murders.' 

Elroy snorted and cast an uncaring glance at the spot where the first victim had been found.

'Hah. I mean, seriously? 'Vampire Murders'? We're supposed to be the Imperial Army, not a bunch of country bracers. Are we seriously considering the possibility that fairy tale creatures like that exist? And besides, what kind of idiot goes out at night when there's a serial killer on the loose? They were asking for it, if you ask me. People need to stay in their damn homes and stop making more work for us.' 

'You son of a...!'

Enraged by the sheer callousness of Elroy's words, Alphonse started towards him...or tried to, rather. Strong, unyielding fingers held him by the arm.

Completely expressionless, and without so much as a glance to Elroy, Rose whispered, 'Arguing with him serves no purpose. That time would be better spent investigating.'

She spoke calmly, but her words were sharp and dismissive. What she said was right, though, and hearing it was enough for Alphonse to cool his temper. As she said, they had more important things to be doing. He had sworn that he would solve these murders and put the past behind him, and that needed to be his foremost priority. He took a deep breath to regain his composure. The reassuring weight of the silver sword hidden in his uniform  further reminded him of what he needed to do. 

Watching them, Elroy gave a bored, derisive laugh.

'Oh, and 'civilian helper' or whatever you are, don't you go wandering around at night, either. The last thing the army needs is more dead bodies to clear up.' And with a mocking wave, he left them. 

After their inspection of the first crime scene, Alphonse and Rose spent the remainder of the day scrutinizing the scenes of the second and third  murders, but in the end their search yielded no fruit. After reporting their progress to Garrard, he made his way to the Alegria where he had promised to meet Rose to discuss how they would proceed with their investigation.

The city around him was bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun when Alphonse finally stepped into the sparsely populated tavern. He found Rose sitting at a table near one of the windows. Once again she was wearing the navy coat from their first meeting. It seemed safe to assume that the rapier she used that night was inside it, too. 

'Evening,' she called out to him. 'I was expecting you to be here sooner.'

Alphonse didn't reply. He was too busy staring at the girl sitting opposite her.

'What's wrong, Lucca?'

Lucca turned at the sound of her name, eyes so wide and moist that tears threatened to fall at any moment. 

'A-Alphie! Just what is this woman to you?!'

'Wh-What?'

Perplexed, he looked over in Rose's direction as if seeking an explanation. Rose favored him with a bland expression.

'All I did was walk into this tavern and state, 'I would like an out of the way table to discuss the future with Al,' and she has been pressing me with endless questions ever since.'

She sighed and shrugged her shoulders as if she understood the situation no better than Alphonse did. 

Seeing this, he let out an even greater sigh.

Before Lucca could launch into another interrogation, Alphonse set about explaining Rose's role as a civilian helper aiding an army investigation, and after several reassurances, he was eventually able to clear up the misunderstanding. Lucca's relief seemed to fill her with renewed energy. Cheerfully, she bounded up from their table and made her way into the back of the tavern again. With her departure, so too left the gazes of the other curious and amused patrons. Rose and Alphonse bent to discussing their investigation. 

Vampires, Rose elaborated, were only able to use their powers at night. During the day, they were no different from ordinary humans. Unfortunately, this meant that even if they were to encounter one, neither of them would be able to tell. If they hoped to end the murders, they would first need to find some kind of clue as to the vampire's true identity.

At one point during the conversation, Alphonse went pale at the thought that they might have to exhume the corpses of previous victims in order to reinvestigate them, but Rose assured him that would not be necessary. To his great relief, she had already checked them thoroughly for clues. Even that gruesome task had yielded little more information than the similarities between the bite marks, though. 

Their vampire foe was a cunning one. The number of bodies and lack of clues all pointed towards a careful killer who more than likely was living right there among them as an ordinary human.

After working their way through the simple meal that Lucca brought them, Rose casually glanced over to the back of the tavern.

'You seemed rather close to that girl,' she murmured. 

It took a few moments for Alphonse to realize who Rose was referring to.

'Yeah...I suppose you could say that. I've known her for ten years now, after all.'

He had first met Lucca when he was brought to Heimdallr by Garrard. Initially, he had stayed in a house near the tavern, and being brought by it often, the two of them quickly became friends. As an orphan, Lucca's support over the years meant more to him than words could express.

Telling Rose all of this, Alphonse could feel his cheeks heating. He began fidgeting awkwardly. 

'...I'm a little envious,' Rose said.

As she spoke, Alphonse noticed a change in her expression and tone. Usually, she said things sharply or with an air of cool detachment. Her face also rarely betrayed her inner thoughts. Now, though, he thought he caught a hint of loneliness. Unable to let this pass unnoticed, Alphonse opened his mouth to comment.

Suddenly, Rose jumped up out of her seat. Her chair fell to the ground with a crash. Once again the two of them became the subject of a room full of gazes, but she paid that fact no mind and stared out of the window, her eyes open wide. 

'Wh-What is it? What's wrong?' Alphonse whispered loudly.

'It's nearby. I can sense it.'

'It? What do you mean?!'

'The vampire!' she hissed.

No sooner had she said it, she raced over to the tavern's owner, who was busy at the back of the building. Alphonse chased after her. He had never seen her in such a panicked state before.

'Where is the young lady who was here earlier?!' Rose asked the puzzled tavern owner, who didn't appear to have any idea who she was referring to. It was then that Alphonse realized that he didn't see Lucca anywhere - and hadn't seen her since she brought them their food a half hour before. After telling this to the owner, he finally seemed to realize what he was being asked. 

'Now that you mention it, I would have expected her to be back by now. I asked her to run an errand  over at the grocery store opposite here.'

Alphonse and Rose exchanged a glance and instantly understood what the other was thinking. Overcome with a sense of great foreboding, the two of them rushed out of the shop without saying a word.

第３回　嫌な予感

　翌朝、アルフォンスは部队の队长ガラードの执务室にいた。『吸血鬼事件』を个人的に调査するための许可をとりに来たのだ。

ガラード队长は头をボリボリと掻きながら、その歳の割りには精悍な颜で息子のような存在でもあるアルフォンスを怪讶に眺めている。

「……お前だけであの事件を追うと？」

「いえ、民间に协力者を得ました。その人物と２人で调査するつもりです」　

丁宁に答えたアルフォンスだが、内心、无理のある提案であることは分かっていた。

「吸血鬼の存在は、本来世俗に明かすべきものではありません。

　２人だけで捜査できるよう、何かしら言い訳しておいてください」

昨晩、ロゼはそんなことを言うだけ言って、「ではまた」と夜の暗へと消えていった。

　実际、彼女の言い分はもっともだ。吸血鬼のことをいくら说明しても、いくら父ほどに亲しいガラードと言えど、理解してはもらえないだろう。

ともすれば尸人《グール》なるものをその目で见た彼でさえ、あれは梦だったようにも思えていた。

加えて、ロゼの身分にも色々と事情があるらしく、公に活动することを嫌っているようだった。吸血鬼事件の调査队は正式に编成されてはいたが、ロゼをそこに加えるとなると色々と面倒なことになる。だからこそ、アルフォンスはロゼと２人での调査を进言せざるを得なかった。

　だが、やはりガラードの表情はあまり好意的とは言えなかった。

「……アル、俺にはな。お前の亲父代わりとしての责任があるんだ。　

　立派な军人に育ててやりたいし、无意味に危険すぎる仕事をさせたくはない」

アルフォンスはそもそも、正式に编成された吸血鬼事件の调査队や、警戒のための深夜巡回からは外されていた。彼が今回の事件に拘っていることを、ガラードももちろん知っていた。

だからこそ、深追いして危険に晒されることが悬念されていた。

「……队长の仰ることは十分に分かっているつもりです。

　それでも、俺は……この事件には纳得のいく形で望みたい」

「……ム……」

アルフォンスの决意を込めた表情を见て、ガラードは言叶に诘まってしまった。今の彼にあるのは危うさではない。确かな决意と覚悟が感じられていた。

　ガラードは长く考え込んだ末に、谛めたようにため息をついた。

「……やれやれ、お前は本当に亲父さんにそっくりだ」

　そう微笑をこぼすと、すぐに上官としての威厳を放って言い放つ。

「事件の解决に向けて最后まで尽力してこい。

　ただし、调査内容はその日のうちに报告すること」

「おじさ——」

思わずいつもの调子で呼びそうになり、慌てて気をとりなおすアルフォンス。ガラードはそれを见て少し笑い、「队长だ」と惯れた返事を返した。

「いいか、决して无理はするなよ。何かあったらすぐに言え」

「——ハッ！」彼の気遣いに感谢を込めて、アルフォンスは恭しく敬礼した。

「——どうやら首尾よくいったようですね、何よりです」

吸血鬼事件の最初の被害者が発见された帝都の商店街の一角。建物に囲まれた狭い路地は昼でも薄暗い。アルフォンスがそこへ足を踏み入れると、ロゼが昨晩のようにどこからともなく现れ、合流した。

昨晩、アルフォンスが尸人に袭われた场所は、新たな被害者の発见现场としてガラード队の调査が行われている。今日のうちは近づかないほうがいいとの判断で、まず最初の调査场所としてここを选んだのだった。

　彼女は昨晩のような外套や剣を身につけておらず、はたから见れば普通の街娘のように见える清楚なドレスを来ている。

　昼间は吸血鬼や尸人は活动しないため、戦うための装备は必要ないらしい。

怪しまれないための格好と言われつつも、军服姿のアルフォンスとの取り合わせはやはり异様であり、人通りの少なさに助けられたなと彼は叹息する。

　现场には、まだ物々しい雰囲気が漂っていた。被害者の事を考えながら调査をしていると、アルフォンスの头にある疑问が浮かぶ。

「そういえば……　今までの被害者は“尸人”などにはなっていなかった。

　もしかして、それらも君が倒していたのか？」

「いえ、昨夜までは尸人と化す前に〈法术〉で浄化を行っていたのです。

できれば私も、被害者の遗体を伤つけるのは避けたいですから」　

法术——それは七曜教会の一部の人间が使うことのできる特别な术なのだという。ロゼの持つレイピアや、アルフォンスが受け取った短剣に尸人や吸血鬼を屠る力を与えたのもその力によるものらしい。改めて教会の関系者なのか、という疑问を投げかけるが、ロゼは「まあそういう风に思っていただければ」と気になる返事をするのみだった。

　ともかく、遗体が尸人と化すのに要する时间は事件が発生する度に短くなっているらしい。昨晩はついに间に合わず、戦わざるを得なくなったのだそうだ。

「まあ、想定通りの结果です。今までもそうでしたから。

　あなたのような方が首を突っ込んでくるとは、流石に思いませんでしたが」

くすりと笑われながらそんな风に言われてしまい、肩を落とすアルフォンス。

「と、とにかく……今までの调べで分かったことはないのか？」

　しゃがみ込んで现场を见回しながらアルフォンスが寻ねると、ロゼはこくりとうなずいた。

「今までの被害者たちに残された咬み迹から见て、吸血鬼はおそらく男性です。

　事件は帝都の広范囲で発生していますが、咬み迹の形が共通していることから、一人の犯行の可能性が高いでしょう。それ以上のことは现时点では……」　

ロゼは淡々と并べ立てると、そのまま黙り込んでしまった。

「何か、気になることでもあるのか？」思わず寻ねるアルフォンス。

「……ええ。もしかすると今回、帝都に潜んでいるのは——」

そこまで话した所で、言叶を止めてしまうロゼ。视线は、アルフォンスの肩の向こう侧に注がれている。振り向くと、そこには——军服姿の青年がいた。それは、彼のよく知る人物でもあった。

「エルロイ？　なんでこんな所に……」

「それはこっちのセリフだ」

不机嫌そうに答えた青年——エルロイは、アルフォンスと同じく『ガラード队』に所属する军人である。同时期に军に入り、年齢もほとんど変わらないのだが、２人はことあるごとに冲突していた。それがいつからだったか、アルフォンスも覚えていない。

「わざわざ别働队を编成して调査していると闻いたが……逢引きのためだったとはな」

嘲笑混じりに嫌味ったらしい言叶を投げつけてきたエルロイ。どうやら、吸血鬼について话していたくだりは闻かれてなかったらしい。アルフォンスは咳払いをしていつもの调子で反论する。

「……彼女は民间の协力者だ、茶化すのはやめろ。　

　お前の方こそ、こんな所で何をしている？」　

「フン、たまたま通りかかっただけだ。

　あの胡散臭い事件のせいで、巡回范囲が広がってしまってな」

「……口を慎め。この近隣には被害者の遗族たちも住んでいるんだぞ」　

エルロイはアルフォンスの言叶にフンと鼻で笑って答えると、第一の被害者が横たわっていたあたりを冷たい目で一瞥する。

「ハ……何が『吸血鬼事件』だ。帝国军人ともあろうものが本気にしてどうする。　

　そもそも、そんな事件が起きているのにわざわざ夜道を出歩く方もどうかしている。　

　自业自得だ。まったく仕事を増やされていい迷惑だよ」

「お前な——！」

エルロイのあまりな言叶に急激に头に血が上り、食って挂かろうとするアルフォンス。しかしその腕を掴まれ、制止される。隣で话を闻いていたロゼだ。彼女は无表情のまま、エルロイを见もせずにささやく。

「（时间の无駄です。そんな暇があるのでしたら捜査を）」

　あくまで冷静に、辛らつながらも正论で切って舍てたロゼの言叶に、アルフォンスは头が急激に冷えていくのを感じた。确かにこんな、つまらない争いをしている场合ではなかった。何としても吸血鬼事件を解决し、自分の过去を清算すると誓ったのだ。ふうと息を整え、懐に入れた银の短剣の重みを确かめるアルフォンス。

　エルロイはそんなやり取りをみて、つまらなそうに再び鼻で笑うと、

「そこの女もせいぜい夜道に気をつけておけ。军の仕事を増やしてくれるなよ」

そう吐き舍てて、その场を去っていくのだった。

その后、アルフォンスとロゼは３番目までの被害者の现场を一日かけて捜査したが、新たな手がかりを得ることはなかった。アルフォンスはその结果をガラードに报告した后、宿酒场〈アレグリア〉に向かう。そこでロゼと今后のことを话し合う约束をしていた。

夕日が差す中、足を踏み入れると、店内にはちらほらと客が入っており、窓际のテーブル席の一つにロゼの姿を见つけることができた。日が落ち始めているからか、彼女はあの紫绀の外套を再び身にまとっている。おそらく腰にはあのレイピアを差しているのだろう。

「こんばんは。遅かったですね」

　アルフォンスに気づいたロゼが声をかけてくるが、彼は返事を返さなかった。何故か、ロゼの向かいに幼驯染が座っていたからだ。

「どうしたんだ、ルッカ」

　その声に振り向いたルッカの目には——今にもこぼれだしそうな涙が溜められている。

「ア、アルくん……！

　この人と、どういう関系なのぉっ……！？」

「な、何？」

　わけも分からず、ロゼに视线を向けて答えを求める。彼女はあくまで无表情だ。

「『アルと今后のことを话し合うので、目立たない席を贷してほしい』と申し上げたのですが……

　それからずっと、问い诘められてしまって」　

やれやれと首を振ってため息をついたロゼ。アルフォンスはそれを见て、さらに深いため息をついた。

それからアルフォンスは、ロゼが仕事の协力者であることを说明し、何とかルッカの误解を解くことができた。彼女はよほど安心したらしく、先ほどとは打って変わって元気よく店の奥へと舞い戻っていった。他の客たちから集まってしまっていた注目が离れ始めたところで、２人は事件の今后を话し合うことにした。

——吸血鬼が力を発挥する时间は夜だ。昼の间は完全に人间と変わらぬ容姿になってしまい、ロゼですら见分けることは不可能なのだという。见つけ出すには、正体に繋がる何らかの手がかりを掴む必要がある。もしかすると墓地に埋葬された被害者の遗体を调べなおす必要もあるのかと考えて、青い颜になってしまうアルフォンスだったが、遗体については今までにロゼがしっかりと调べたらしい。（そこからは『咬み迹』に関する手がかりしか掴むことはできなかったという）吸血鬼の周到さに、２人は普段人间として暮らしているからこその狡猾さをひしひしと感じていた。

　ルッカの持ってきてくれた简単な料理を食べ终え、明日の调査の段取りを决めたところで、ロゼがふと店の奥に目をやり、ぽそりと何かをつぶやいた。

「……先ほどの方と、大変仲がよろしいのですね」

最初、アルフォンスは彼女が何を言っているのか分からなかったが、先ほどの出来事を思い出してすぐにルッカのことだと気づく。

「ああ……まあな。１０年来の付き合いだ」

ガラードに引き取られて帝都に来て、最初に住んでいた家はこの店の近くにあった。子供の顷からよく连れてこられて、同年代のアルフォンスとルッカはすぐに仲良くなった。それは、孤独の身となったアルフォンスの心の强い支えとなった。

　アルフォンスはそこまで话して、なんだか照れくさくなって鼻を掻いてしまう。

「……少しだけうらやましいです」

　そう言ったロゼの表情は、今までに见たことのないものだった。无表情に、辛らつに、淡々と物を话す普段の彼女の姿からはかけ离れた、寂しさのようなものが感じられた。

见かねて言叶をかけようとするアルフォンス。

——その瞬间。

ロゼは、唐突にその场に立ち上がった。彼女の太ももに跳ね飞ばされた椅子が床を転がり、再び他の客の目がこちらに向けられる。ロゼはそれを気にも留めず、目を见开いて窓の外を见ている。

「ど、どうした？」

「この気配、间违いありません。近くにいます」

「いる……？　何がだ！？」

「——吸血鬼です！」

そう言うや否や、店の奥で忙しそうにしていたマスターに駆け寄るロゼ。彼女は、吸血鬼が出たことを感じ取ったらしい。それに気づいて慌てて追いかけるアルフォンス。今まで静けさを保っていたロゼとは违い、その様子はあきらかに寻常ではなかった。「それも」とはどういう意味だ？とにかく、何かまずい事态が起きていることは明らかだった。

「先ほどの方はどこへ行かれたのですか！？」

　ロゼに问い诘められたマスターは何やらさっぱりと言った様子だ。アルフォンスは気づく。そういえばルッカの姿が见当たらない。半刻ほど前に食事を持ってきた后、店の奥に再び消えてから。アルフォンスが补足し、マスターもそれに気づく。

「ああ……そういえば遅いね。

　さっき向こうの通りの食材屋に买出しを頼んだんだけど……」

アルフォンスとロゼは颜を见合わせた。途辙もなく嫌な予感がする——２人は言叶も発さないまま、店の外へと駆け出した。